The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Methil man jailed for sexually abusing two young schoolgirls
Fifer who ‘preyed’ on girls aged 12 and 13 given 30-month prison sentence
A Fife man who “exploited his position” to sexually abuse two young girls has been jailed.
Peter Freeley was handed a 30-month prison sentence at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court after being found guilty by a jury at an earlier trial.
The 45-year-old targeted the two vulnerable girls – aged 12 and 13 – during nights they spent together at an address in Methil.
The offences took place between January 2016 and September 2017, before he was reported to the police.
The victims cannot be named. During a police interview, one said: “I told him that I didn’t want him to kiss me because I’m only 12 and he was, like, 42.
“I tried to push him away but he kept doing it again and again.
“I was on the couch, trying to go to sleep, and then he came in and then he bent down and started touching my private parts over my clothes. I kept pushing his hands away. He said to me that I better not tell anyone about it because he didn’t want to get into trouble. I felt weird and told my mum.”
Freeley also assaulted a second girl who was considered extremely vulnerable and had already been the victim of sexual abuse.
He repeatedly touched her intimately over, and inside, her clothing, kissed her on the lips and forced his tongue into her mouth.
Sheriff Jamie Gilchrist QC said: “The offences of which you have been convicted are too serious to warrant any other disposal other than custody. You exploited your position.”
He handed the first offender, of Methil Brae, a 30-month prison sentence and ordered him to sign the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.
Police Scotland’s Detective Inspector June Peebles of the Public Protection Unit said: “Freeley preyed on these young girls and abused their trust.
“I must commend the victim for her bravery in telling a family member, and this person for reporting Freeley to police and enabling us to launch an investigation into his offences.
“Both of the victims have shown great strength throughout this case, and we welcome Freeley’s conviction.
“I want to reassure our communities that we remain committed to bringing perpetrators of such depraved crimes to justice.”
The offences of which you have been convicted are too serious to warrant any other disposal other than custody. You exploited your position. SHERIFF JAMIE GILCHRIST QC