Perverted chiropractor Peter Wayne Snodgrass files appeal against 10-year prison term, victims say he’s learnt nothing
He invaded the privacy and stole the dignity of 200 women and girls who trusted him. Now this perverted former chiropractor is pleading for mercy, saying 10 years’ jail is too harsh a penalty.
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The chiropractor who invaded the privacy and stole the dignity of 200 women and girls through hidden cameras says 10 years’ jail is too harsh a penalty for his perverted crimes.
Peter Wayne Snodgrass has asked the Court of Criminal Appeal to overturn his prison term, saying it is a “manifestly excessive” punishment for 216 sex charges.
The survivors of Snodgrass’ voyeurism are outraged, saying the bid for mercy undermines not only his guilty plea but also his repeated claims of remorse and contrition.
One woman, who asked to be identified as ‘Rowena’, said Snodgrass – who presented himself, to them, as a man of integrity – had clearly learned nothing.
“We heard him tell us, in court, he’s sorry for what he’s done … if he truly had remorse and empathy for his victims, he would be turning his focus to his own rehabilitation,” she said.
“It feels like putting all of his energy into trying to get a shorter sentence is taking energy away from the introspection that needs to happen if he’s to control his behaviour.
“It seems like nothing has changed, and that he’s still very focused on himself.”
Snodgrass, 50, pleaded guilty to secretly filming his clients, and indecently assault some of them, at his Rostrevor practice between 2012 and 2017.
He used hidden and handheld cameras to film women and girls as young as 11, later claiming he had a “sex addiction” and “just wanted to see more boobs”.
During Snodgrass’ prosecution, the court heard SA Police detectives have not been able to identify all of the women in his videos, estimating up to 400 individuals had been recorded.
A psychologist, meanwhile, said Snodgrass’ confession represented “shame rather than guilt” and warned he remained at risk of reoffending so long as he held that attitude.
In his appeal documents, released to The Advertiser by the court, Snodgrass asks that both his sentence and non-parole period of eight years, two months and 18 days be reduced.
His sole ground of appeal is that the sentence is “manifestly excessive”, but says he will detail other grounds “as advised by senior counsel”.
Snodgrass will face a single judge of the court on March 23 – he must convince them his case is arguable before he can proceed to a full-bench hearing.
Under state law, the Court of Criminal Appeal also has the power to increase an offender’s sentence if they believe it is manifestly inadequate.
On Thursday, ‘Rowena’ said Snodgrass’ appeal proved the psychologist right.
“The psychologist’s report said he had no understanding of why he had done what he did and, while he had shame, he had neither guilt nor remorse,” she said.
“He still doesn’t care how his actions exacerbate what he has done to his victims.”
