Jackanory storyteller jailed for child abuse

A former Jackanory storyteller has been jailed for sexual assaults on a young boy who was left with a “terrible burden of shame” for nearly 60 years.

John Earle, 87, who narrated two Jackanory stories in 1971 and presented programmes for youngsters in the 1960s and 1970s, was deputy head teacher at a school in Okehampton, Devon, when he carried out the attacks on Iain Peters, who was just nine when his ordeal began.

Now 69, Mr Peters has waived his right to anonymity to describe the lifetime of fear, shame and insecurity he has suffered since his school days.

The pensioner, who told the court in a victim impact statement that Earle’s actions left him with a distrust of authority, also said he wants to protect others from suffering as he did and called on society to work harder to prevent children from being abused.

His comments came after Earle, of Upton Lyne, Devon, was sentenced to four years in jail at Exeter Crown Court yesterday, having admitted six counts of indecent assault from 1957 to 1961.

Earle attacked victim when he was aged 9.