A MAN from Cornwall has been jailed for 25 years and must sign the Sex Offenders' Register for life after being convicted after a trial of a catalogue of rapes and sexual offences against five children.

Peter Bunney, 46, of no fixed abode but who has had links to the Truro and Camborne and Redruth areas, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence before Judge Simon Carr on Friday, September 27.

At his trial at the same court a jury found Bunney guilty of two indecent assaults on a child, five sexual assaults by penetration on a child under 13, seven rapes of a child under 13, rape, two sexual assaults of a child under 13, causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and sexual activity with a child.

During the trial the court heard how Bunney’s offending was first investigated in 2006 after two children reported how they had been touched sexually by Bunney. Bunney also made the children touch him sexually.

The allegation was investigated but there was insufficient evidence to proceed with a prosecution at the time.

In 2020 police were contacted by two parents reporting the historical rape of their daughter by Bunney. The victim spoke to officers and described how she was sexually abused numerous times by Bunney.

This included sexual touching and rape, with Bunney saying he would pay the victim if she let him do it again.

Following this victim’s report another female was spoken to by police and disclosed an incident of sexual touching from Bunney when she was a child.

Officers then spoke to a further complainant who spoke of how when she was around eight years old Bunney exposed himself in front of her which resulted in Bunney being confronted.

As a result of the 2020 investigation against Bunney, the victims who had reported being abused by him in 2006 were approached and again provided an account of what had happened.

One of the girls added that Bunney raped her on several occasions.

Bunney disclosed during a police interview that when his phone was examined and indecent Image of a child could be located and named the child in question. Despite no image being located a further victim of his abuse was identified.

She was approached and said that in 2019, Bunney abused her in a swimming pool changing room.

Following further disclosure and investigation, Bunney was charged with two further offences of rape of a child under 13 and sexual assault by penetration, completing the indictment he was convicted of at trial.

Officers in the case DC Heather Tippett said: “I welcome the sentence issued today to Peter Bunney, after a four-year complex investigation.

“I have nothing but admiration for the victims in this case, as without their courage, strength, dignity and continued engagement throughout this investigation, we would not have been able to achieve this result.

“I hope this case demonstrates how seriously the police take this type of offending and sends a strong message to those committing such horrific offences against children, the result of which leaves a profound and lasting effect on its victims.”

Support available

If you are a victim of child abuse, or worried for the safety or wellbeing of a child, find out below all the different ways you can get in touch. Even if you’re not 100 per cent sure, please report your concerns. Your information could help trained officers and staff protect the child.

The best ways to get in touch

If you suspect someone is in immediate danger, call 999 now. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use the textphone service 18000 or text on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergency SMS service.

If it isn’t an emergency, get in touch in any of these other ways:

If you’re a child, you could also speak to someone you trust, like a friend, a teacher or another adult.

If you’re a professional working with children, remember you have a responsibility to refer your concerns to Children’s Social Care through your local council.

What happens after you report it to us?

Uniformed officers may take an initial report, after which specialist detectives may investigate. They'll explain in detail what will happen next.

Neither you or the child will be forced to do anything you're not comfortable with. However we will always take action if we think a child is at risk of further harm.