Paedophile case: Victim’s family speaks out

May 28 2009 by Michael Byrne, Ormskirk Advertiser

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THE FAMILY of a woman, who was indecently assaulted as a girl, has urged other victims of child abuse to come forward after her abuser was convicted.

Peter Dickenson, 47, of Croft Field, Maghull, was convicted by majority verdicts of six counts of indecent assault and three counts of indecency with a child.

The Preston Crown Court jury had been told that the offences were committed on different dates between 1973 and 1981 in Burscough and Ormskirk.

The victim was aged between three and 11 at the time.

Dickenson was cleared of four similar allegations.

After the guilty verdict was delivered a family spokesman said: “All the family are very pleased with the verdict. We would like to thank the police and legal advisers for their help and support.

“It was a terrible shock for the whole family when we found out what had been happening.

“These were crimes that occurred about 30 years ago. This has been an emotionally traumatic time for all the family but finally justice is seen to be done.

“We would like to encourage other people in this situation not to be afraid of coming forward to seek support and advice.

“We are sure there are lots of other people out there in this same situation. We believe the difficulties in coming forward are worth it in the end.”