ANTHONY STOCKTON OF CREWE SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR RAPE OF SCHOOLGIRL

In a case that has shocked the community of Crewe, Anthony Stockton, a 22-year-old man residing at Delamere Court, was sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of raping a young schoolgirl. The incident, which took place in Crewe, was brought before Chester Crown Court last week, where Stockton appeared to admit to a single count of rape.

Judge David Hale did not hold back in his condemnation, describing Stockton as ‘evil’ and emphasizing that he was fully aware of the wrongfulness of his actions. The court was told that Stockton’s victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, was physically restrained in such a manner that she was unable to resist or call for help. Despite her desperate attempts to push him away and seek assistance, Stockton persisted with his assault, leaving her extremely distressed.

Prosecutor Matthew Dunford highlighted the profound impact the attack had on the young girl, stating that she had become very withdrawn and emotionally affected by the trauma. The court heard that the incident had left her in a state of significant distress, underscoring the severity of the crime.

During the proceedings, Stockton’s defense attorney, Nicholas Williams, provided context about his client’s background, revealing that Stockton suffers from learning difficulties. Williams explained that Stockton had been deeply traumatised by the removal of his two-year-old son into care, which had a significant emotional toll on him. The lawyer described the act as impulsive and spontaneous, asserting that Stockton’s mental and social functioning was impaired, and that he struggled to understand and manage sexual frustration or social norms.

Williams further detailed Stockton’s personal struggles, including his desire to care for his son when his partner was pregnant. However, social services deemed him unfit to care for a child, leading to the child’s adoption. This rejection reportedly caused Stockton to attempt to take his own life, illustrating his fragile mental state. The lawyer concluded by expressing that Stockton now faces a lengthy prison sentence, which he described as a harsh consequence for his actions.

Judge Hale, delivering the sentence, condemned Stockton’s conduct as ‘extremely evil,’ emphasizing that although he knew his actions were wrong, his sexual urges drove him to commit the crime regardless. As part of his sentence, Stockton was ordered to register as a sex offender and was permanently prohibited from working with children or having any unsupervised contact with minors under the age of 18. The court’s decision reflects the gravity of the offense and the need to protect the community from potential future harm.