CHARLES ANTHONY LANE, THE SEX 'MONSTER' FROM NEWPORT, JAILED FOR 13 YEARS FOR HORRIFIC OFFENSES

In a case that has shocked the community of Newport, Charles Anthony Lane, commonly known as Tony, was sentenced to 13 years in prison following his conviction on multiple serious charges involving sexual and violent crimes against women and young girls. Lane, aged 56 and a resident of Elan Court, Bettws, Newport, was once celebrated for his service in the British Army, where he served as a lance-corporal with the South Wales Borderers. His military record was described as exemplary by John Jenkins, QC, who defended Lane during the trial, highlighting his service in Aden and Northern Ireland during The Troubles.

However, Lane’s reputation was severely tarnished when he was found guilty by a jury of 12 counts of heinous crimes, including two rapes, one attempted rape, the abduction of a 15-year-old girl, and the encouragement of prostitution involving another 15-year-old girl. Additionally, he was convicted of indecency with a child, four counts of indecent assault, and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Despite these convictions, Lane was acquitted of three charges of rape, one charge of procuring a woman for sex, one indecent assault, two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm, and other related charges.

The court heard disturbing testimonies from victims, one of whom recounted a sickening sexual assault involving a dog that took place in the early 1970s. She tearfully described her ordeal, saying, “I started crying and screaming. I thought my life was over… I was in a living hell and there was nothing I could do about him.” Another woman, who was still a schoolgirl at the time, detailed how Lane had raped her and forced her into prostitution. She explained how Lane instructed her to dress in sexy clothes and perform a striptease for another man, after which he raped her. Her account painted a picture of manipulation and abuse that spanned years.

Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones, QC, addressed Lane directly during sentencing, condemning his actions and the impact they had on his victims. The judge remarked, “No person who has listened over the last eight to ten days to the evidence of this case can but have been affected by the violence and perverted sexual behaviour that you inflicted. The one person who it appears has been unmoved by this is you.” The judge also described the incident involving the dog as “foul and indecent,” emphasizing the depravity of Lane’s conduct.

Particularly disturbing was the evidence that Lane had attempted to rape a girl at the tender age of 15 in the early 1980s. The judge stated that Lane used this girl to satisfy his lust, then forced her into prostitution and ultimately raped her. The case highlighted a pattern of predatory behavior spanning decades, with Lane exploiting and abusing vulnerable women and girls.

Gwent Police’s Detective Constable Mark Lemoignan, who led the investigation from the family support unit, commented on Lane’s demeanor during the trial, noting that he showed no remorse or emotion. Lemoignan stated, “Lane has shown no admission of guilt or any emotion throughout the case for these awful offences. He used his control over these women to commit these crimes, but that is now at an end.”

Lane’s conviction and subsequent sentencing serve as a stark reminder of the severity of his crimes and the lasting impact on his victims, who endured years of suffering at his hands. The community of Newport can now only hope that justice has been fully served and that Lane’s imprisonment will prevent him from harming others in the future.