Serial abuser jailed for Scouts group assaults on boys in 1970s
Gary Edward Peterson was jailed for sexually abusing boys on Scouts camping trips decades ago.
Gary Edward Peterson was sentenced this week at Newcastle District Court after sexually abusing a young boy on Scouts camping trips. Peterson is now 78 years old and had previously served jail time for abusing other young boys.
As a Scouts leader, Peterson organized trips and asked the victim to share his tent. Peterson then sexually assaulted the child twice.
Both assaults happened on camping trips in the Glenrock lagoon area. The boy told his family about the abuse.
But they did not listen at the time. Judge Roy Ellis said Peterson held great power and authority.
Under today's laws, these crimes would be called rape, not indecent assault. Peterson went to court for similar crimes in 1977 and 1994.
Peterson served time in prison from 1994 to 2001.
- 78 years old
- Offender's age
- mid-1970s on Scouts camping trips
- When assaults occurred
- 1994 to 2001 for abusing other boys
- Previous prison sentence
Why it mattersThe conviction holds a serial abuser accountable for decades-old crimes. It shows how institutions must protect young people in positions of trust.
