ANGLESEY MAN ANTHONY BARBER SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN CREWE AND ANGLESEY

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Crewe and Anglesey, Anthony Lawrence Barber, a 45-year-old resident of Red Wharf Bay in Anglesey, was convicted of serious sexual offenses committed against a 16-year-old girl. The incident, which took place in March 2008, involved a brutal and extended assault that left a lasting impact on the victim.

According to court proceedings, the young girl had been spending the evening with friends at a flat in Crewe. Both Anthony Barber and his co-defendant, Anthony James Hutchinson, aged 50 and residing on Wistaston Road in Crewe, were present during the events of that night. The court heard that Hutchinson subjected the girl to repeated acts of rape and other sexual assaults within the confines of the flat’s bedroom. The assault was described as prolonged and degrading, leaving the victim in a state of extreme vulnerability.

Shortly after Hutchinson’s assault, Barber entered the scene and also committed a rape on the same girl. The severity and brutality of these acts were central to the case, which was brought to police attention in July 2011. The case initially went to trial in May of the same year, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict at that time.

Following a thorough investigation, both men faced charges related to their actions. Hutchinson was found guilty of three counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault, and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Barber was convicted of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault, and received a sentence of seven-and-a-half years.

After the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Claire Jesson of Crewe CID issued a statement emphasizing the gravity of the crimes. She described the attack as “horrendous and prolonged,” highlighting the victim’s vulnerable state during the assault. DS Jesson praised the bravery of the young girl and her family, acknowledging the dignity they maintained throughout the legal process. She also noted the lasting effects the assault has had on the victim, reaffirming the community’s commitment to justice for such heinous acts.