ACENI TANUMI FROM MEIR SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILD IN STOKE-ON-TRENT

In January 2019, a disturbing case of child sexual abuse emerged involving Aceni Tanumi, a 36-year-old man with a military background, who committed heinous acts against a young girl in the town of Meir. The details of the case reveal a pattern of grooming, manipulation, and exploitation that culminated in a series of criminal charges and a subsequent conviction.

Tanumi, residing on Blatchford Close in Meir, was accused of engaging in a series of sexual offenses against a minor girl. The allegations included performing sexual acts in front of her, showing her adult pornography, and attempting to induce her to touch his private parts. The prosecution outlined that Tanumi had paid the girl sums of money—specifically £5 and £10—on multiple occasions, ostensibly to silence her or to prevent her from revealing the abuse. These payments were part of what the authorities described as classic grooming behavior, aimed at establishing control over the young victim.

The charges brought against Tanumi included five counts: engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, causing a child to watch a sexual act, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, and inciting or causing a child to engage in sexual activity. Despite his denial of the allegations, claiming that the girl was fabricating the story, the jury at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court found him guilty of all five charges after a thorough trial.

Prosecutor Robert Price provided a detailed account of the abuse, emphasizing the manipulative tactics used by Tanumi. He explained that the defendant had repeatedly shown the girl adult pornography, sometimes on a laptop and other times on a mobile phone, which he had also shown her directly. The evidence indicated that Tanumi would remove his clothes and perform sexual acts on himself in front of the young girl, an act that he encouraged her to observe. Furthermore, he attempted to persuade her to touch his private parts, but she resisted these advances.

The court heard that the abuse was uncovered after the girl confided in someone about the incidents. She reported that Tanumi had shown her his private parts, touched her body, and performed sexual acts in front of her. She also recounted that he had tried to get her to touch his private areas, which she refused. The investigation revealed that Tanumi had made frequent cash payments to the girl during these episodes, often giving her £5 or £10 notes, and instructing her not to tell anyone about what was happening.

Examination of electronic devices belonging to Tanumi uncovered adult pornography stored on both his laptop and mobile phone. The prosecution argued that this evidence supported the claim that Tanumi had shown the girl explicit material, further demonstrating his grooming behavior. The case highlighted the disturbing nature of the abuse and the calculated efforts by Tanumi to manipulate and silence his young victim.

During the trial, Tanumi maintained his innocence, claiming that the girl was lying. However, the jury was convinced by the evidence presented, leading to his conviction on all counts. Judge David Fletcher sentenced Tanumi to three years in prison. Additionally, he imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) that will remain in effect until further notice, and Tanumi was ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. The judge criticized Tanumi’s defense during the trial, describing his explanations as “completely ridiculous” and reaffirming the seriousness of his grooming and sexual misconduct.

In conclusion, this case underscores the importance of vigilance and the need for robust legal action against individuals who exploit and abuse vulnerable children. The community of Meir and the wider Stoke-on-Trent area can be assured that justice has been served, and measures are in place to prevent such crimes from recurring.