THOMAS ANLEY SHOCKED WITH 11-YEAR SENTENCE IN BRIDGEND CRIME CASE

In a highly disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Bridgend, Thomas Frederick Antley was sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 11 years for heinous crimes involving a young girl. The sentencing took place at Cardiff Crown Court, where the court heard harrowing details of Antley's actions and the impact on his young victim.

Antley, a 53-year-old dental technician residing at Cwrt Newydd, Broadlands, Bridgend, appeared in court dressed in a dark grey suit, a white pinstriped shirt, and a black tie. Throughout the proceedings, he maintained a stance of protestation of innocence, despite the jury's verdict. The court found him guilty of three charges related to sexual assault on a girl under the age of 13, as well as inciting her to engage in sexual activity and performing sexual touching. Notably, he was acquitted of the charge of rape.

The court was presented with evidence and testimony from the young girl, who recounted how Antley, known for his fondness of massaging people at social gatherings, had offered to massage her during a party where multiple individuals were present. The girl described how Antley, at times, encouraged her to perform sex acts on him and showed her pornographic films on his computer. She also revealed that Antley warned her, saying, “Don’t tell anybody or we could get into serious trouble,” a statement that underscored the manipulative and coercive nature of his conduct.

Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones QC addressed Antley directly during the sentencing, emphasizing the severity of his actions. The judge stated, “That material included the very type of sexual abuse to which you subjected her. It was the sort of material that no young girl of that age should ever have seen.” The judge also highlighted the betrayal of trust involved in the case and the profound harm inflicted upon the young victim.

As part of his sentence, the judge ordered Antley to be registered on the sex offenders’ register for life. Additionally, he was prohibited from working with children and from being alone with minors under any circumstances. The court also noted that the girl had confided in her parents gradually, after watching an episode of Heartbeat on television, where a boy kept a secret he could not tell his mother, which was a pivotal moment in her disclosure of the abuse.

This case has left a lasting impact on the Bridgend community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and safeguarding children from predators like Thomas Antley, whose actions have now been met with the full weight of the law.