ANTHONY BARRON: REPUTABLE BANK MANAGER AND PREDATORY PAEDOPHILE IN WANTAGE

In August 2007, Anthony Barron, a man who appeared to be a model of respectability, was revealed to be a predatory paedophile responsible for nearly 90 sexual assaults on young girls as young as three. He used his roles as a bank manager, Scout treasurer, and parent teacher association member to gain access to children, whom he exploited and then bribed not to report him with sweets and ice lollies.

Barron's criminal activities came to light after a five-year-old girl disclosed the abuse to her mother. Judge Julian Hall described the offences as 'as serious as I think I have ever come across' and remarked, 'I see no reason not to jail you for life. I can't imagine anything worse than a parent knowing their child has been abused and that footage exists of that abuse.'

Following a two-day trial at Oxford Crown Court, Barron, 54, was convicted of the rape and attempted rape of a 12-year-old girl. He had previously admitted to 87 offences against ten other girls between 1995 and 2006, including assaults on two sisters on the same day. Police discovered disturbing footage where Barron joked about there being 'not enough room for both of them' — referencing two girls he assaulted.

He abused girls aged between three and 12, often while their mothers were present in his house or nearby. Barron lured children to his home with sweets, ice lollies, and games, also bribing them with treats to keep silent. In one case, he engaged in a sexual relationship with a woman before assaulting her daughter shortly thereafter.

A computer repair business owner by profession, Barron used his status in the community to befriended parents, ensuring children felt comfortable visiting his house. He employed video and still cameras, adjusting angles and children's positions to produce images of his abuse, sometimes while victims were in the same house but unaware.

His arrest in September 2006 followed the disclosure from a five-year-old that Barron had exposed himself. Police then raided his property, a 1950s semi-detached home in Wantage, Oxfordshire, uncovering a large collection of toys intended to entice children, hundreds of videos, and 52 computers, all examined for illicit images. Barron’s method was to calm upset children by reassuring them softly, 'We don't have to do anything you don't want to do,' before stopping the abuse and attempting again later.

Detective Constable Bob Owen of Thames Valley Police emphasized the severity of the case, stating, 'Anthony Barron is a conning, devious and extremely dangerous predator and a most evil man. In my 28 years' service as a police officer, I have never dealt with a case of child abuse on this scale.' Prosecutors revealed that they had to identify victims from the videos and, in some cases, approach unaware parents who then had to witness the footage to confirm their children’s identities.

Barron admitted numerous charges, including 27 counts of indecent assault, 37 counts of making indecent photographs of children, 11 counts of sexual assault, five of causing or inciting sex with a child under 13, two of indecency with a child, three of attempted rape, and other serious sexual offences.

After leaving his banking career, Barron established a computer repair business and exploited his connection to local schools, scout groups, and youth clubs to lure children. He also committed abuse during visits to their homes. His crimes also involved abusing a girl after forming a sexual relationship with her mother.

Many videos showed Barron adjusting cameras and children's positions for optimal images of abuse. His reign of terror ended in September 2006 when police arrested him following the disclosure from the five-year-old victim.

Upon searching his home, officers found tools of his abuse, including toys for young children intended to lure victims. They also seized hundreds of videos and 52 computers, which specialists meticulously examined.

ICU Detective Constable Owen stated, 'The victims' distress during viewing the videos was profound, and Barron’s deception and planning were evident.'

Barron suggested in a letter to the court that personal issues, including divorce and bereavement, contributed to his offending. Judge Hall criticized Barron for leading a facade of respectability while betraying trust and described his treatment of victims as akin to toy play.

In sentencing, Judge Hall imposed a minimum of nine years before Barron could apply for parole, deducting 229 days already spent on remand. The judge expressed uncertainty about Barron's potential for safe reintegration, stating, 'I have no idea why this all started.'

The court proceedings included a rare gesture by Judge Hall, who excused jurors from future jury service for ten years because of their exposure to the disturbing content. He added, 'Once is enough for a lifetime.'

Outside court, Jenny Jonckheer of Thames Valley CPS called the case 'undoubtedly the worst case of child abuse that I have seen in my 30 years of prosecuting.' A neighbor, Kerry Ballard, expressed her shock over the crimes, saying, 'I’m just so thankful that my boys had nothing to do with him.'