ANTHONY SMITH FROM WEYBRIDGE SENTENCED FOR REPEATED RAPE OF TEENAGE GIRLS IN SURREY AND WALES

In a case that has shocked the community and exposed the dark side of a trusted police officer, Anthony Smith, aged 56, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for the heinous crimes he committed against three teenage girls. The offenses took place over a span of four years, from 1993 to 1997, in various locations including Surrey and Wales, with Smith abusing his position of authority and trust.

Smith, who was a serving Metropolitan Police officer during the time of the abuse, was finally brought to justice after a lengthy investigation that began in 2020. The investigation was triggered when one of his victims, now an adult, courageously came forward to report that she had been subjected to sexual abuse by Smith during her teenage years. Following her disclosure, two additional victims also stepped forward, providing detailed accounts of the repeated assaults they endured at the hands of Smith.

During the three-week trial at Guildford Crown Court, all three women recounted how Smith had sexually abused and raped them multiple times. One of the victims described how Smith exerted control over her, making her feel 'worthless and terrified.' She vividly explained the profound and lasting impact the abuse had on her life, stating, "To the outside world you were a pillar of the community, a shining example of a police officer — yet here you were, abusing your position of trust, making me feel powerless, guilty, and ashamed of what I was being made to do."

She further expressed the emotional toll the trauma has taken on her, saying, "Feelings of guilt, shame, and anxiety are my 'normal,' and I struggle every day to fight this. I have carried the shame of being an abuse victim throughout my life, and this has negatively impacted my intimate relationships. Even though I know that the abuse was not my fault, the shame never fully leaves a childhood sexual abuse survivor."

It was revealed that Smith, who resided in Weybridge, Surrey, had a history of misconduct. Prior to his employment with the Metropolitan Police, he worked as a swimming instructor in Llandudno, Wales. He joined the police force in 1987 and remained an officer during the period when the abuse occurred. In 2004, Smith left the police force after being convicted of gross indecency with a child in an unrelated case.

Following the trial, Smith was convicted on 13 charges of rape and sexual assault related to the three victims. The court's verdict underscores the severity of his crimes and the betrayal of trust by someone who was supposed to serve and protect. His actions have left a lasting scar on the victims and serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability within institutions meant to uphold the law.