Greenwich ex-teacher convicted of child sex assault

Pete Murphy, 65, of Old Dover Road in Blackheath, was drunk on a litre-and-a-half of gin when he called a child “very attractive” and “beautiful” before touching their bottom. 

Murphy was the secretary of the GMB Union’s Greenwich branch but retired after he was charged with the sexual assault of a child. 

Before his work in trade union he was a teacher and a social worker. 

Murphy was found guilty of sexual assaulting a child under the age of 13 after a four-day trial. He appeared at Woolwich Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday (March 26). 

Murphy pictured leaving Woolwich Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)Prosecutor Dominic Benthall told the court that Murphy’s offending took place in 2020. 

The sexual touching lasted for no more than a second but Murphy made inappropriate comments to the child immediately before the incident, the court heard. 

Murphy described himself as a functioning alcoholic at the time of his offending. 

Mr Benthall said: “He said he used to drink a litre of spirits a day. On this occasion he had drunk a litre and a half, that little extra may have made the difference.” 

Judge Richard Thomas KC said he had no doubt that Murphy’s drinking problem contributed to the offence. 

But the judge added: “What you demonstrated was a clear attraction to someone under the age of 13.” 

He sentenced Murphy to a two-year community order including a requirement to complete a sexual offender programme. 

Judge Thomas also made a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) restricting Murphy’s contact with children. 

The SHPO also bans Murphy from employment involving contact with children.