Pervert karate teacher escapes second jail term
A SHAMED Sheffield karate teacher, jailed once for abusing children, has escaped a second stint in prison.
But Peter Love, aged 54, will be back behind bars if any more victims can prove they were abused by him during a 10-year period.
He will be made to sign up to the national Sex Offenders’ Register for the next five years.
Love was imprisoned for 12 months in September 2002 after two men revealed they had been sexually attacked at their karate coach’s former home in Meersbrook almost 20 years earlier.
The Star published details of the court case, and two more victims came forward to tell police that they were also assaulted in the 1990s.
Love was brought back before Sheffield Crown Court last summer and was warned he would be returned to jail if any further victims came forward.
The court heard one of the new victims was a 14-year-old boy who was molested during 1993 and 1994.
He visited Love’s home in Valley Road, Meersbrook, for six months before the assaults began.
They escalated for months until eventually the frightened boy screamed at Love and ran out of the house.
The other victim was just 11 when he was attacked.
He told police he was made to lie naked on a bed while Love indecently assaulted him. Afterwards Love would apologise for what he had done.
Love ran karate classes at the Chancet Wood Centre, Beauchief, but lured pupils back to his home by offering them the use of his multi-gym.
Judge Linda Sutcliffe, sitting at Bradford Crown Court, was told no more victims had come to light.
She imposed an 18-month jail term, suspended for two years, but told Love he could face imprisonment again if any further allegations surface.
Love, who admitted a total of six counts of indecent assault on the two boys, has moved out of his Meersbrook home following threats of reprisals.
21 February 2004
http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/ViewArticle.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=744233