CONVICTED CHILD ABUSER ANTHONY STOCKS SENTENCED FOR HEINOUS CRIMES

A man named Anthony Stocks has been convicted of heinous crimes involving child abuse and attempted murder. He was found guilty of multiple charges, including four counts of sexually assaulting a girl under 13, causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and raping a child under 13. Additionally, Stocks was convicted of attempting to kill a boy aged around 11 by pushing him off a cliff near Ovingdean, close to Brighton, in September 2022. The boy survived a fall of approximately 100 feet, suffering severe injuries, and police described his recovery as 'miraculous'.

The court heard that Stocks had subjected the girl to ongoing sexual abuse over a period of about three years. A girl in the case recounted that Stocks forced her to carry out sexual acts, which made her 'frightened' and 'uncomfortable', leading her to confide in her brother about everything. The court was told Stocks had told the girl about his plan to murder her brother, and she warned her brother. Stocks also took the boy to a view at Ovingdean and tried to persuade him to go beyond safety fences at the cliff's edge. The court heard how Stocks had earlier attempted to push the boy into a quarry but changed his mind.

Police found thousands of pornographic images and videos on Stocks' phone, all legal, but highlighted that he had searched for content involving adults and young people. During police interrogation, Stocks claimed he did not remember being pushed and only recalled standing at the cliff's edge before waking up in hospital. The prosecution described Stocks' behavior as 'absolutely horrific and evil', emphasizing his intent to remove the boy to facilitate ongoing abuse of the girl. Det Sgt Rachel Jackson called Stocks a 'very dangerous individual' who showed no remorse.

Stocks' sentencing is scheduled to take place 'in due course'. The judge and police referred to his crimes as some of the worst they had investigated and praised the victims for their courage.

This case has been described by authorities as one of the worst examples of child abuse they have dealt with.