ANTHONY CRITCHARD SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN LYME REGIS AND DORCHESTER

In March 2001, a disturbing case emerged involving a 70-year-old man from Lyme Regis, Anthony Joseph Critchard, who was convicted of heinous sexual offenses against young girls over a span of four years. The case was heard at Dorchester Crown Court, where it was revealed that Critchard had managed to gain the trust of two families in the community, allowing him to become a familiar figure in their lives.

Critchard’s manipulative tactics involved befriending the families and establishing a false sense of security. The families, believing him to be a trustworthy family friend, permitted him to take their young daughters out on separate outings. These outings, which initially appeared innocent, took a dark turn as Critchard exploited the trust placed in him.

According to the prosecution, Vershal Reglan, the Crown’s representative, detailed that the victims were approximately seven years old when the abuse began. The young girls were subjected to repeated acts of indecent assault, with Critchard taking them back to his flat after outings. The court heard that one of the girls was assaulted nearly every Sunday for four years, highlighting the prolonged nature of his predatory behavior.

During the trial, Critchard admitted to six counts of indecent assault related to the two young girls. The court was informed that after his arrest, Critchard attempted to shift some blame onto the victims, claiming, “We were both as bad as each other,” a statement that underscored his attempt to diminish his culpability.

Critchard’s legal representative, Paul Hester, expressed remorse on his client’s behalf, emphasizing that Critchard had acknowledged his guilt and shown remorse for his actions. Hester requested that any custodial sentence be as brief as possible, citing Critchard’s advanced age and poor health as mitigating factors.

However, Recorder Jeremy Gibbons QC, presiding over the case, made it clear that the severity of the offenses warranted a prison sentence. He stated, “You’ve pleaded guilty to serious offences. In my view, my only option is to send you to prison immediately.”

Consequently, Critchard was sentenced to three years in prison. The court ordered that he serve half of this sentence before being eligible for release on licence. Additionally, he was mandated to register as a sex offender under the Sexual Offenders’ Act for the remainder of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions related to his criminal conduct.