WORCESTER PAEDOPHILE JAILED FOR 21 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

A CHILD rapist has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for attacking four children, including an eight-year-old girl. The offender, identified as paedophile Michael Kelly, a 66-year-old from Burford Close, Worcester, was found guilty of committing 24 sex offences, including two rapes, attempted oral rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, incitement to engage in and watch sexual activities, and taking indecent images. The crimes spanned approximately 12 years and came to light in 2022 after a victim disclosed her experiences. Kelly threatened one victim with being taken into care if she revealed what was happening and she subsequently self-harmed. Kelly, a former Armed Forces veteran who served for six years and has no previous convictions, carried out assaults in Worcestershire and in Liscard, Wallasey on the Wirral. During sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Anil Murray described Kelly's behavior as cruel, stating: "He was so cruel because he made me suffer like this. He stole my childhood." Another victim shared her personal impact statement, describing suffering from panic attacks, flashbacks, nightmares, and feelings of being a freak. Kelly appeared via video link from prison for his sentencing. The judge ordered him to sign the sex offenders' register for life and noted that the jury's findings indicated Kelly's sexual attraction to children was real, despite his denials, emphasizing that his offending was for sexual gratification with little regard for the damage caused.