Prolific paedophile received six life sentences today for more than 100 vile crimes against children as young as two.

Wiltshire's Most Prolific Paedophile Sentenced to Six Life Terms

Peter Daniels, 70, was sentenced to six life sentences for over 100 vile crimes against children as young as two at Salisbury Crown Court. Judge Richard Parkes described Daniels as "an expert in grooming," highlighting his manipulative tactics used to gain access to his victims.

Daniels, previously of Eyres Drive in Alderbury but now of HMP Isle of Wight, admitted to 78 offenses of child sexual abuse against 22 victims aged between two and 15. The abuse spanned a decade, with Daniels befriending vulnerable families and grooming both children and their parents.

Despite the life sentences, Daniels will be eligible for parole after nine years. Victim statements from parents expressed their sense of blame for failing to protect their children, but Judge Parkes reassured them, "It is a warm and human impulse to like and to trust others. [Daniels] was widely known and liked. He seemed a very kind, helpful and decent person. They [the victims' parents] have no reason whatsoever to blame themselves for failing to realise he has a very dark side."

Daniels was previously imprisoned for 12 years in 2017 for offenses against two victims. Following his arrest, hard drives recovered from his home revealed hundreds of thousands of indecent images of children, including 4,000 created by Daniels himself documenting his abuse over the past 10 years, and 600,000 downloaded from the internet.

The abuse occurred at Daniels' home in Alderbury, where he lived alone. Claire Booth of the Crown Prosecution Service described Daniels as a "loving, caring uncle" who treated his victims to outings and gifts, creating a false persona to facilitate his grooming. However, she highlighted his contrasting nature, stating, "The Mr Daniels in the police interview appeared to be a calculating, cold man. He seemed to have very little appreciation for how his offending could have in any way impacted on these children, and on their emotional and physical wellbeing."

Detective Sergeant Eirin Martin of Salisbury CID emphasized the magnitude of the investigation, involving over 25 specialist officers, interviews with over 30 children, and the examination of a significant amount of digital evidence. Martin commended the victims for their bravery in coming forward and preventing further abuse.

The investigation and sentencing highlight the pervasive nature of child sexual exploitation and the importance of acknowledging and addressing the manipulation tactics employed by perpetrators. It also underscores the courage of victims in coming forward and the critical role of law enforcement in protecting vulnerable individuals.