MICHAEL ALLFREY'S SHOCKING SEX OFFENDER CASE IN STORRIDGE AND HEREFORD

In February 2014, the case of Michael Allfrey, a former church warden and parish councillor from Storridge, drew significant public and legal attention due to the serious nature of his crimes. The 71-year-old resident of Hereford Road, Storridge, near Malvern, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison after being convicted of multiple sexual offenses involving young boys.

Allfrey's criminal activities spanned several years, during which he was found guilty of abusing six boys aged between nine and 14. The abuse included inappropriate touching over and underneath their clothing, as well as attempts to involve them in sexual activities. The allegations came to light when one of the victims confided in a teacher, prompting an investigation that led to Allfrey's arrest.

Despite his protests of innocence, claiming to deny all allegations— which included 11 counts of sexual assault and four counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity— the court found him guilty. The sentencing at Worcester Crown Court reflected the gravity of his crimes, with the judge describing him as a 'menacing predator' and noting the betrayal of trust involved.

During the trial, the court was informed that Allfrey had maintained a facade of being a respected community figure, often regarded as a 'pillar of the community' in Storridge. However, behind this facade, he led a double life that concealed his predatory behavior. The victims' testimonies painted a disturbing picture of abuse that had lasting effects on their lives, including behavioral issues and emotional distress.

In the appeal process, Allfrey's legal team argued that he had already served enough time and that his sentence was excessively harsh. His barrister, Michael Birnbaum QC, emphasized that Allfrey was accepting his punishment and had been serving his sentence in an open prison, where he was permitted to work in the garden. Birnbaum also challenged the court's characterization of Allfrey as a 'menacing predator,' suggesting that the offenses were sporadic and that the impact of vigilante attacks on his property, which caused him financial and emotional hardship, should be considered.

However, the Court of Appeal, comprising Mr. Justice Burton, Lady Justice Macur, and Judge Richard Griffith-Jones, upheld the original sentence, affirming that it was appropriate given the circumstances. Justice Burton stated that the four-and-a-half-year penalty was not manifestly excessive, even considering Allfrey's age and previous contributions to society.

Earlier, in January 2013, Allfrey had been convicted and sentenced for similar offenses. He was found guilty of 11 counts of sexual assault and four counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, relating to incidents involving six boys on his farm between 2005 and 2011. The court heard how the victims' families and their behavior had been adversely affected, with some children experiencing emotional and academic difficulties following the abuse.

Prosecutor Jonas Hankin highlighted the profound impact on the victims, including a mother who described her son crying in bed, feeling responsible for what happened. Defense counsel, Michael Birnbaum QC, described Allfrey as a man of good character who had provided significant service to his community, including 36 years on the Storridge Parish Council and years as a church warden. Despite this, Judge Toby Hooper QC noted that Allfrey had carefully targeted children he perceived as unlikely to be believed or to resist.

Following his conviction, Allfrey was ordered to register as a sex offender and was placed under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for ten years. This order restricts him from having unsupervised contact with anyone under 16 who is not a blood relative while on his land. Detective Constable Dave Bentley, who led the investigation, expressed gratitude to the victims and their families and encouraged others to come forward, emphasizing that it is never too late to report child sexual abuse.