A sex offender who abused a child in Wigan was arrested as he was released from prison for similar offences

A high-risk registered sex offender has been jailed for a second time after admitting sexually assaulting a young girl in Wigan multiple times.

Peter Hawke, 70, was arrested as he was released from prison after serving a five-year sentence for sexual offences against a girl.

While he was behind bars, another child, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, revealed he abused her on multiple occasions between 2021 and 2023.

Specialist officers from Greater Manchester Police launched an investigation, working closely with partner agencies including the sexual offender management unit (SOMU), probation services and safeguarding professionals.

Through sensitive victim engagement, a video-recorded interview and extensive inquiries, they gathered evidence showing that Hawke had repeatedly sexually assaulted the child.

Following extensive planning with partner agencies ahead of his release from HMP Risley, officers arrested Hawke at the prison gates on June 25.

He was interviewed, charged and remanded back into custody on the same day.

Due to his history of sexual offending against children, SOMU assessed Hawke as posing a very high risk of harm.

Officers noted significant concerns regarding the ongoing risk he posed within the community, together with his lack of remorse and absence of empathy for those he harmed.

Hawke pleaded guilty to 10 counts of sexual assault of a girl under the age of 13 by touching and has now been jailed for six years at Liverpool Crown Court.

He will be subject to a notification of requirement to register with police indefinitely, a sexual harm prevention order restricting his contact with children, and a restraining order to protect the survivor and her immediate family.

Det Con Sarah Gleave, of Greater Manchester Police’s safeguarding unit, said: "I’d like to thank the young girl at the centre of this, who showed immense courage in speaking about what had happened to her. Thanks to her bravery, the support of her family and the close collaboration between police, probation, SOMU and other safeguarding partners, we were able to build a strong evidential case and bring Hawke before the courts again.

"We carefully planned his arrest so that the moment he was released from prison he was taken straight back into custody to answer for these further offences.

“The evidence gathered during the investigation resulted in Hawke pleading guilty to all 10 offences and enabled a swift charge and remand while continuing to safeguard those affected.

"We would ask everyone to be mindful of the real impact that rumours, speculation and social media comments can have. The young girl in this case is entitled to life-long anonymity and we urge people not to identify or speculate about any child connected to these offences.

"Victims and their families deserve privacy, dignity and the opportunity to move forward with their lives."

Police are urging anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted not to suffer in silence, but instead report it to them or a support agency to access the help available.

Support for men, women and children is on offer at Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester on 0161 276 6515, while women can also get help from Greater Manchester Rape Crisis on 0161 273 4500 and men can turn to We Are Survivors on 0161 236 2182.