ANTHONY DE BOISE: HOLMBURY ST MARY PAEDOPHILE'S BIZARRE DOUBLE LIFE REVEALED

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Holmbury St Mary, Surrey, Anthony De Boise, a man who appeared to lead a double life, has been convicted of heinous sexual offenses committed over a span of several years. Court proceedings unveiled the chilling details of how De Boise, a respected architect and a senior planning officer at Wandsworth Council, secretly engaged in a prolonged campaign of abuse against vulnerable young girls.

During the trial at London's Southwark Crown Court, it was revealed that De Boise maintained a facade of normalcy and respectability. By day, he was a well-dressed professional, often seen in a sharp dark grey suit, with a collar and tie, living with his wife Susan and their two young children in a luxurious £500,000 home. However, beneath this veneer, he led a sinister double life that lasted for approximately seven years.

According to the court, De Boise would leave his family behind and, dressed as a vagrant—wearing dark sunglasses and scruffy clothes—he would position himself at local beauty spots and areas frequented by schoolchildren. His target victims were girls aged between 13 and 16, some of whom were simply playing with friends, while others were truanting from school, unaware of the danger lurking nearby. Colleagues who knew him described him as “Mr Nice Guy,” a man liked and trusted by many, making his true nature all the more shocking.

The court heard harrowing accounts from the victims, who recounted lengthy episodes of pain, fear, and degradation. De Boise would often march the girls into nearby woods, sometimes at knifepoint, where he would subject them to assault. Police reports detailed how he used threats of rape, injury, and even death to intimidate his victims into submission. On one particularly horrifying occasion, he attacked two 13-year-old friends simultaneously, leaving them with deep gashes on their legs as they desperately scrambled through barbed wire fences to escape his grasp. Another girl was restrained for part of her ordeal, which left her feeling physically sick, while a final victim, just shy of her 15th birthday, begged for her life, explaining her upcoming birthday and pleading for mercy.

Prosecutor Stephanie Farrimond explained that these assaults, which took place between 1989 and 1996, prompted a significant police investigation. Despite efforts including an appeal on BBC’s Crimewatch, the perpetrator remained at large for many years. It was only after a relative accused De Boise of theft—an allegation that was ultimately dropped—that police obtained a DNA sample. This sample was later matched to evidence from the cold case files, leading to his arrest.

De Boise’s arrest and subsequent conviction marked the end of a long and painful search for justice. The court heard that he was caught only after the DNA evidence linked him to the attacks, which had remained unsolved for nearly two decades. His identity as a seemingly respectable professional had effectively concealed his true nature for years.

During the sentencing hearing, De Boise, who was visibly subdued and bowed his head most of the time, admitted to six counts of indecent assault. His wife, Susan, sat quietly at one end of the courtroom, while some of his victims, visibly distressed and crying, occupied seats nearby. Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith described the case as profoundly serious, emphasizing the impact on the victims and the severity of the crimes. After a careful review, the judge sentenced De Boise to 13 years in prison, reflecting the gravity of his offenses and the betrayal of trust involved.