Anthony Reynolds Melton Mowbray Paedophile, who subjected a young girl to three years of repeated sexual assault, was sentenced to more than 19 years in prison.
Anthony Reynolds, a 42-year-old resident of Melton Mowbray, admitted to the crimes of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old child and committing two counts of rape on a girl under the age of 13.
He received a 231-month prison sentence at Gloucester Crown Court.
Judge Ian Lawrie commended the girl: “You should take pride in your bravery. You remained utterly immobile.
The girl, hailing from Gloucester, expressed in her victim-impact statement a sense of perplexity as to why she was subjected to such circumstances and what actions warranted such treatment.
According to Prosecutor Ellen McAnaw, the girl was approximately ten years old when the misconduct began and was 13 years old when she confided in a school friend in January of this year.
Ms McAnaw described it as a “systematic campaign of sexual assault”.
The authorities were notified, and the child provided a detailed account of how Anthony Reynolds had been engaging in sexual assault with her approximately every two weeks for three years or more.
She recounted: “Following his actions, I would remain seated, overcome with tears and consumed by fear.” I lacked focus during my time in school, and a single matter consumed my thoughts.
‘I have experienced a loss of self-assurance. However, after confiding in someone, I am certain I will not reencounter him, which has instilled a sense of security inside me.’
“I have experienced a decline in self-assurance,” she stated. “I believed that I had excess weight and unattractive physical features.” I desired to assume a different identity. I was dissatisfied with my identity.
The mother of the girl expressed in a statement that her daughter will undoubtedly be affected by this experience for the entirety of her life.
“The actions of this individual towards my daughter have utterly devastated me.”
Initially, Anthony Reynolds denied the allegations and entered a plea of not guilty to counts of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old child on January 21st, as well as two accusations of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13 between December 21st, 2019 and December 20th, 2022.
However, he altered his pleas to guilty when the girl appeared in court, prepared to testify against him before a jury.
Shenaiya Kharegat, the defence attorney, stated that while Anthony Reynolds initially did not confess to the crimes, he now fully acknowledges his guilt and has made no effort to downplay his actions…
“He has engaged in introspection and possesses a comprehensive comprehension of the impact of his transgressions on the victim and her family.”
Judge Ian Lawrie told Anthony Reynolds that the statements he had heard had unequivocally conveyed the “anguish, both emotionally and psychologically, that your abusive actions have inflicted”.
The judge sentenced the individual to a combined total of 231 months in jail, along with a lifelong sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order.
The judge granted a reduction of 12.5% on the sentence as a result of Anthony Reynolds’ delayed admission of guilt, so sparing the girl the distressing experience of testifying.
Judge Lawrie stipulated that Anthony Reynolds must complete two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for release.
“Speaking up about matters like this requires bravery,” the judge commended the girl. “I am aware of the distressing burden it places on everyone.”
“You should take pride in your bravery.” Your lack of movement caused him to feel restricted and unable to make any adjustments.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.