Highly-regarded Calderdale scout leader avoids prison after sexually assaulting woman

Peter Simpson, 56, only admitted the offence when his case was listed for a trial and a judge said his victim had faced the prospect of coming into a courtroom, being cross-examined and called a liar.

Judge Jonathan Rose said Simpson guilty plea to the sexual assault had finally spared the woman the ordeal of giving evidence, but he had “taken it to the wire”.

Simpson, of Sandbeds Crescent, Halifax, committed the offence back in the autumn of 2018, but the full details cannot be revealed to protect his victim who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

Bradford Crown Court heard that the offence involved Simpson running his hand up the woman’s leg on two occasions and kissing her on the forehead.

When Simpson was initially questioned about the incidents in 2018 he denied the allegation.

The court heard that Simpson had drunk about eight pints and Judge Rose said he was satisfied that the offence would not have been committed if he had not been drinking that night.

“There will be many who will think looking at this case that what you richly deserve to be locked up as the punishment for this offence,” said Judge Rose.

But he explained that the sentencing guidelines for that category of offending gave a maximum of 26 weeks in custody and he had taken account of Simpson’s positive good character and guilty plea.

“It seems to me that punishment in the community is appropriate,” he told Simpson.

“That punishment needs to be substantial and it’s going to be.”

The court heard that Simpson had worked as a driving instructor and he now faced losing his job as well as any role in the scouting movement.

Barrister Rebecca Young, for Simpson, said he deeply regretted the on-going impact on the complainant and submitted that the offending had been isolated as well as out of character.

“This is a gentleman who was hitherto of exceptional good character, above and beyond not just having no previous convictions or cautions,” she said.

“But working in environments where he gave support and encouragement to children and adults alike.”

Judge Rose said Simpson should no longer be a scout leader or a driving instructor but the consequences of his offending were all his fault.

“You had all that most men could hope for,” he told Simpson.

“Employment, a partner, the respect of others and involvement in the scouting movement in which you were held in high esteem and you threw it all away because you were drinking.”

Simpson was made the subject of a two-year community order which includes doing 270 hours of unpaid work and abiding by an electronically-monitored home curfew between 7pm and 7am for the next three months.

“You will wear a tag around your ankle. That will remind you you are a sex offender,” said the judge.

Simpson will also have to sign as a sex offender with the police for five years and the judge made an indefinite restraining order which bans him from having any contact with the complainant in the case.