A 57-year-old ‘dangerous’ paedophile who evaded justice for years has been jailed for raping and sexually abusing children in East Devon.

Peter Greenslade, pictured here, of Bridford, near Exeter, was found guilty of nine counts of rape, two indecent assaults, and two sexual assaults of a child under the age of 13.

Greenslade, who denied the offences committed in the Honiton area of East Devon, was jailed for 22 years after a jury saw through his lies when he stood trial at Bristol Crown Court in September.

Police praised the ‘immense bravery’ of Greenslade’s two victims, who in 2019 broke their silence on the sexual abuse inflicted on them as children.

The court heard how, years on, the two victims continue to live with the psychological effects of the sexual abuse.

Detective Constable Jon Stephens, from the Devon and Cornwall Police public protection unit, said: “Peter Greenslade is a dangerous individual, who has escaped justice for many years.

“We’d like to thank the two victims in this case for the immense bravery they have displayed throughout these proceedings. We hope they are now finally able to move on with their lives. “

He added: “This is another example of how it is never too late to report non-recent sexual offending.”

The court heard how Greenslade raped and sexually abused a schoolgirl in the Honiton area, who years later found the courage to tell on her abuser.

A second victim also broke his silence, revealing Greenslade inflicted similar abuse on him when he was a boy.

The paedophile denied all the allegations against him, forcing his victims to face him at trial, but the jury saw through his deceit.

A force spokesperson said: “During the trial the court heard how in 2019 one of the victims bravely disclosed rapes and other sexual abuse committed against her by Greenslade which took place when she was a child.

“Several months later a second victim also came forward, detailing similar abuse at the hands of Greenslade when he too was a child.

“During police interview Greenslade denied all the allegations against him, however, his version of events was dismissed by the jury at trial.