ANTHONY LANGHAM SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS IN PRISON IN DERBYSHIRE FOR GROOMING AND SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST TEENAGE GIRL
Anthony Langham, a 56-year-old man from Pasture Road, Stapleford, Nottingham, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for sexually assaulting a teenage girl from Derbyshire.Derby Crown Court heard that Langham befriended the girl, who was under 16 at the time, before grooming her and then subjecting her to sexual abuse, including kissing, assault, and rape.
The girl, now in her twenties, confided in authorities about her ordeal many years later, after initially being too frightened to disclose it.
In court, the victim delivered a powerful victim impact statement via prosecutor Robert Underwood, stating: "Every day I ask myself 'why me?' and 'will he do it again?' That is why I came forward so he will not be able to do to anyone what he did to me.
It has affected every aspect of my life.
I cannot get a job because I cannot trust men.
I feel very angry at everything and everyone." The trial revealed that the grooming took place in the Ilkeston area.
Langham, a father and grandfather residing in Nottingham, gained the girl’s trust before abusing it for sexual purposes.
The court heard how Langham exploited her teenage vulnerability, especially when he supplied her with cigarettes, which he used as an opportunity to groom her.
Judge Jonathan Bennett stated, "She was under the age of 16 when you carried this out, and she had to come to court and give evidence, which she found very traumatic.
She started smoking, and you saw that as an opportunity to supply her with cigarettes and groom her.
During that time, you made her life an absolute misery.
She had no-one to turn to and no-one to tell because you said to her 'you can't tell anyone or we will both get into trouble.' It was only later in life that she found the courage to speak out." Langham was convicted on 10 counts, including rape, attempted rape, various sexual assaults, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, following a jury trial.
Defense solicitor Michael Stradling mentioned that Langham has three adult children and eight grandchildren.
He added, "His ex-wife is in court and thinks enough of him to come and support him.
The defendant has COPD and has been on oxygen for two years.
He is also on antidepressants because he has suffered from depression for several years.
He has a supportive family, and he hopes that there may be some hope for him once he is released after serving his sentence." Langham will serve a minimum of two-thirds of his 14-year sentence before he becomes eligible for parole and release on license.
He will also be registered as a sex offender for life.
