August 2015: Peake has now been released and still visits the Leyland area

February 2014

Shower pervert jailed for spying on schoolgirl

A man who secretly filmed a schoolgirl he was abusing taking a shower has been jailed for three years.

Victor Peake, 47, of Priory Close, Leyland, admitted 11 charges, including counts of sexual assault on a young teenager, possession of indecent images, and charges of voyeurism, which relate to secretly recording the 13-year-old youngster in the shower.

Judge Jacqueline Beech, sitting at Preston Crown Court, said: “It’s clear you are well respected and well regarded man in the community.

“Why you took the path you did is something that no one knows, not even yourself. This was a sustained repeated sexual assault on the same victim aged 13.”

Wearing a khaki mac, Peake sat in the dock at Preston Crown Court and glanced at the floor, occasionally shaking his head as details were read out. The public gallery was full with both Peake’s family, and relatives of his victim.

The painter and decorator had earlier tried to claim he was ‘ill’ when questioned about the events.

The father-of-two, an ex-Thai boxer, was caught out when his victim’s mother found a recording device hidden in a toiletry basket in a bathroom.

A few days later, the brave youngster told her mum about the assaults, one of which had involved him biting her.

The judge read a statement from the girl’s mum in which she described the devastating effect on her daughter.

Defending, Adrian Williams said Peake’s Peake was “disgusted” at his actions and added: “He has come prepared but immensely fearful of a prison sentence.”

The victim’s mum previously told the Evening Post: “For me, this is not just about prison but about him admitting what he has done to my daughter.”

January 2014

Pervert faces jail after admitting using spy camera on schoolgirl

The distraught mum of a schoolgirl who was sexually assaulted broke down today as she revealed the offences came to light when she found a spy camera hidden in her home.

Victor Peake, 46, of Priory Close, Leyland, is facing prison after admitting 11 charges, including counts of sexual assault on a young teenager, possession of indecent images, and charges of voyeurism, which relate to secretly filming the youngster in the shower.

Wearing a shiny black rain mac, Peake stood calmly in the dock at Preston Crown Court as he pleaded guilty to a string of offences.

The painter and decorator had earlier tried to claim he was ‘ill’ when questioned about the events.

The father-of-two, who used to train as a Thai boxer, was caught out when his victim’s mother found a recording device hidden in the 
bathroom at the girl’s home.

A few days later, the brave youngster told her mum about the assaults on her, one of which had involved him biting her. Today, the victim’s mum, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, sobbed as she recalled the ordeal.

She said: “I felt sick when I found the camera. I didn’t want to believe it but I knew it was true.

“I had to get a friend to help me look at the images to see what was on there and then I had to call the police.

“As far as everyone knew he was a lovely man; it is such a shock.

“It’s difficult to put into words how that feels.

“I had to tell her she had been filmed in the shower after he had been arrested.

“It was devastating. She went white and asked how he could do such a thing.

“My daughter is amazing, she is such a good girl and on many days she is stronger than me. She has dealt with things really well.

“Our whole future has changed but we are going to get through this together. We want to thank the police for their support.

“For me, this is not just about prison but about him admitting what he has done to my daughter.”

DC Cath Thomas of Lancashire Police’s public protection unit, said the girl had been groomed over a period of time by Peake.

She added: “This was calculated, premeditated abuse of a child. At first he denied the sexual assaults. We hope his pleas have brought some closure to the victim and her family.”

The Recorder of Preston, Judge Anthony Russell QC, told Peake prison was his “starting point” but granted conditional bail until his sentencing on February 5.