ANTHONY SWINNERTON SENTENCED IN SOUTH DEVON FOR ABUSING TEENAGE GIRL AND POSSESSING EXTREME PORNOGRAPHY
In a case that has shocked the community of South Devon, Anthony Swinnerton, aged 30, from Queen Street, Newton Abbot, was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of serious sexual offenses and possession of extreme pornographic material.The incident involved a 14-year-old girl who displayed remarkable bravery in confronting her attacker and providing a detailed account of her ordeal.
According to court reports, the young girl, who is now 16, recounted how she was awakened in her home in South Devon in December 2017 to find Swinnerton touching her private parts.
She described waking up to the unsettling sensation of his hands under her bedclothes.
Despite the shock, she managed to physically remove him from her room and quickly barricaded the door with furniture to prevent him from re-entering.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, she immediately called for help, demonstrating extraordinary courage for her age.
The girl later delivered a heartfelt victim personal statement at Exeter Crown Court, which was read aloud during the proceedings.
She spoke openly about the profound impact the assault has had on her mental health, revealing that she now experiences heightened anxiety and is undergoing psychological counseling.
Her words reflected her resilience and her desire for justice, stating, “I’m jumpy and on edge and I have had psychological counselling.
I’m glad it has all come out.
I didn’t want him to get away with it.” She expressed hope that her case would serve as a deterrent and a means of turning her negative experience into a positive future, aspiring to become a lawyer to advocate for other victims.
Swinnerton admitted to engaging in sexual activity with a minor and was found to possess two counts of extreme pornographic images, including stills and a video depicting adults engaging in sexual acts with farm animals.
The police investigation revealed these disturbing materials during their inquiries.
Swinnerton confessed to his crimes at the police station but refused to comment further during subsequent interviews, prompting authorities to conduct extensive investigations.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge David Evans described Swinnerton’s actions as deeply troubling and sentenced him to two years and eight months in prison.
The judge also ordered that Swinnerton be placed on the sex offenders register for ten years and issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which prohibits any contact with underage girls for the same period.
The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of his offenses and the community’s need for protection against such offenders.
