CPS News Brief

Gordon Anglesea found guilty of sexual abuse against children

The jury at Mold Crown Court, Wales, today found former police superintendent Gordon Anglesea guilty of four offences of indecent assault on children between 1982 and 1987.

 

Ed Beltrami, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Wales, said: 

 

“Gordon Anglesea abused a position of power and authority in order to prey on very young and vulnerable victims. 

 

“I would like to thank the victims, survivors and witnesses who had the courage to come forward and provide important evidence in this case. Anglesea’s conviction today is a direct result of the prosecution being able to call on first-hand accounts of what happened.

 

“Operation Pallial continues to have success in bringing perpetrators of abuse against children to justice and today’s conviction of Gordon Anglesea represents another important milestone in that process. 

 

“I hope that it will also prove to be a meaningful step in the recovery process of his victims, who have had to live with what happened for a long time before seeing their abuser brought before the court.”

Allan Richards found guilty of sexual abuse over 37 years

A former police officer and scout leader has been found guilty of 40 offences at Birmingham Crown Court relating to the sexual exploitation of 23 boys over a 37 year period.

Allan Richards, 54, from Kitts Green, joined West Midlands Police in 1980 and in 1982 he became a scout leader in Birmingham. Richards used both of these positions to identify his potential victims and also targeted vulnerable boys at a local park.

He continued his offending after leaving the police force in 2011.

His first attack took place in 1976 and his offending continued until 2013. 

In 2014, one of boys he had abused contacted the police leading to  Richards’ arrest and charge for multiple offences. Following two trials, Richards has been found guilty of:

• 2 counts of Rape
• 1 count of Buggery 
• 5 counts of  Misconduct in a public office
• 3 counts of Gross indecency with a child  
• 7 counts of Sexual Activity with a Child 
• 1 count of Inciting Sexual Activity with a Child 
• 20 counts of Indecent Assault
• 1 count of Voyeurism

He is due to be sentenced on 4 November 2016. 

Neil Fielding, Specialist Prosecutor from the West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service’s Complex Casework Unit, said:

“For more than three decades, Allan Richards preyed on vulnerable boys and teenagers for his own gratification; abusing his trusted positions as a police officer and a scout master to do so. 

“Despite overwhelming evidence, some of it corroborated by his own diary entries and a list he kept of his victims’ names; Richards continued to deny these matters showing no remorse and demonstrating a callous disregard for those he abused.  Two separate juries plainly rejected his account and accepted those of his many victims. 

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank the witnesses who supported the case and the whole prosecution team who worked diligently and professionally to bring Richards to justice.”

Trio convicted following murder of Ealing man Rory Anderson

A man who removed clothing and a mobile phone from his fatally wounded victim in an attempt to avoid his detection and arrest has been convicted of murder.

Woolwich Crown Court heard that Alex Azadbakht, 25, stabbed Rory Anderson four times in the back and chest with a screwdriver or similar weapon in Ealing, west London, in March this year and then tried to cover his tracks by getting rid of the evidence. 

Azadbakht and fellow defendants Jermaine Lewis and Stephan Bassily, both 21, were also convicted (on 20 October) of perverting the course of justice. The weapon and Rory Anderson’s mobile phone and clothing have never been recovered.

Navnit Dosanjh, CPS London reviewing lawyer, said: 

“The prosecution was able to use CCTV footage and witness statements to piece together the defendants’ movements in court and bring about these convictions. Azadbakht and his accomplices are now facing significant prison terms.

“What began as a gathering in a flat in Ealing ended in tragedy. Rory was attacked inside the flat and made his way outside where he called the police for help. When the defendants saw how badly hurt Rory was, they made no attempt to help him, and instead stripped him of his phone and clothing in an attempt to mislead the police and fled the scene. 

“Our sympathies go to Mr Anderson’s family at this difficult time.”

 

Note

Sentences given on 21 October at Woolwich Crown Court: 

• Azadbakht was given a life sentence for the murder, with a minimum term of 20 years, and four and a half years (concurrent) for perverting the course of justice
• Jermaine Lewis and Stephan Bassily both received 4 years imprisonment for perverting the course of justice.

Eight men from Rotherham involved in the systematic targeting and sexual exploitation of young girls have today been convicted at Sheffield Crown Court

The defendants faced charges including rape, sexual assault and false imprisonment relating to three victims aged as young as 13 at the time of the offences.

Peter Mann, Head of the Complex Casework Unit CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, said:

 “The CPS has worked closely with South Yorkshire Police over the last two years to bring these defendants to justice.

 “I would like first to pay tribute to the victims who have shown tremendous bravery in coming forward and helping us to build a strong prosecution case to put before the court, resulting in the jury convicting all the defendants of every count.

 “In contrast to the courage and strength of the victims, these men’s actions are utterly abhorrent.  They waged a campaign of sexual violence and intimidation against young girls in the Rotherham area 13 years ago. 

 “Their victims were targeted, sexualised, and in some cases subjected to degrading and violent acts. Sageer Hussain in particular took a leading role in befriending the young girls, and in the case of one victim, passed her on to his friends and other associates, assisted in various ways by the other defendants.

 “We will continue to work closely with the police to prosecute these complex and sensitive cases, and obtain justice for the victims of such appalling crimes”

 

Notes

• The eight men went on trial at Sheffield crown court on 12 September 2016.
• All the defendants were prosecuted under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 which was the relevant Act at the time of these offences. 
• Convicted on Monday 17 October 2016:

1. SAGEER HUSSAIN - Rape x4 and Indecent assault x1
2. MOHAMMED WHIED - Aid and abet, counsel and procure the offence of rape x1
3. ISHTIAQ KHALIQ aka ISHTIAQ MOHAMMED KHALIQ - Rape x1 Indecent assault x3
4. WALEED ALI - Rape x1 and Indecent assault x1
5. ASIF ALI - Rape x1
6. MASOUED MALIK - Rape x1, Conspiracy to commit indecent assault x1 and False imprisonment x1
7. BASHARAT HUSSAIN - Indecent assault x1
8. NAEEM RAFIQ - Conspiracy to commit indecent assault x1 and False imprisonment x1