CECIL FOLEY FROM WEST BROMWICH SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS FOR DECADE-LONG SEXUAL ABUSE IN MIDLANDS

In a case that has shocked the local community of West Bromwich and the wider Midlands region, 70-year-old Cecil Foley was sentenced to a decade behind bars for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over a span of more than ten years. The crimes, which involved the abuse of a young girl, have left a lasting scar on the victim and have prompted a thorough investigation by authorities.

Foley, described as a frail pensioner, was found guilty by a jury at Stafford Crown Court of seven counts of rape and five counts of indecent assault. The offenses took place between 1973 and 1984, a period during which the victim, who was only 12 years old at the start, endured systematic and persistent sexual abuse. Despite his conviction, Foley maintained his innocence, denying all allegations brought against him.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Simon Tonking addressed Foley directly, emphasizing the severity and brutality of the crimes. He stated, “The offences amount to what was systematic and persistent sexual abuse when the girl was a young child, an adolescent, and it lasted until the time of her marriage at 23. She worshipped you and you responded by sexually abusing her in a gross and destructive way. You used that girl for your selfish gratification. You degraded her to a level which is beyond words.”

In addition to the prison sentence, Foley was ordered to register as a sex offender under the Sexual Offenders’ Act, a measure aimed at monitoring his activities and preventing further harm to the community.

Foley’s defense attorney, Lord Thomas QC, highlighted concerns about his client’s health and age, noting that Foley’s health was critical and that he had no previous convictions. Conversely, the prosecution, led by Mr. Patrick Thomas QC, painted a stark picture of the defendant’s actions, describing the abuse as akin to an addiction. He told the jury, “He raped and abused her for years, and abusing her was like a drug. He subjected her to many other sexually perverted things and said not only did she consent but she actively seduced him and took a leading part in these activities.”

During the court proceedings, Foley admitted to having sex with the girl at least twice a week, expressing remorse by stating, “I am very disgusted with myself that it happened in the first place.” However, he vehemently denied any involvement in Satanic abuse or other satanic rituals, dismissing such allegations as unfounded and baseless.

The case has brought to light the dark underbelly of abuse that can occur within communities and underscores the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable individuals from predatory behavior. The sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the consequences faced by those who commit such grave offenses in the Midlands area and beyond.