Anthony Dugard, a 60-year-old paedophile, has received a four-year prison sentence following his conviction for nine counts of child sexual abuse.
Anthony Dugard, residing on Park Drive in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, 22 November, subsequent to an investigation conducted by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).
Anthony Dugard was apprehended on 4 July 2024 in Swindon, where he had travelled to meet an individual he believed to be a kid, intending to perpetrate abuse. He was instead confronted by SWROCU officers.
Anthony Dugard was apprehended via a proactive police initiative conducted by the Online Investigations Team of the SWROCU. This squad collaborates with a national network of officers addressing internet offences, including child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Anthony Dugard admitted admission to four charges related to child sexual abuse and was detained in detention.
Following his remand and upon examination of his mobile telephone, officers became aware of further offences committed against a real child.
The child, who was only 15 years old when she was abused by Anthony Dugard, was able to provide evidence that he had coerced and exploited her over a period of several months. Anthony Dugard was charged and subsequently pleaded guilty to a further five child sexual abuse offences.
Whilst handing him his sentence, Judge JN Townsend told the court: “I pay tribute to the victim in this case to her engagement to the Criminal Justice Process in bringing Mr Anthony Dugard to justice.” Anthony Dugard will also be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years.
In her personal impact statement, the victim’s mother said: “It makes me so sad that [she] has been through this and I’m so sorry that I couldn’t protect her.
“The actions of this man have caused me to feel like I have let my daughter down massively and for that I am truly sorry. I am so proud of her and the fact that she has taken the big step of voicing her truths and telling the police what happened to her and take comfort in knowing that she can now find peace and start her healing process, knowing that the wrongs will be righted.
“[She] has made me very proud by speaking out and in knowing that she will have helped many others in doing so.”
DI David Wells from SWROCU said: “Dugard has caused substantial suffering to the victim and her family and I thank her for speaking up about his predatory behaviour. He poses a significant risk to children and I welcome the sentence handed down to him today.”
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.