TONY MONERY OF CHICHESTER SENTENCED INCREASED FOR CHILD SEX CRIMES IN LONDON AND BRIGHTON

In a significant development in the case of Tony Monery, a convicted paedophile from Chichester, his prison sentence has been extended following an appeal. Originally sentenced to ten years for a series of heinous child sex offences, Monery’s punishment was increased to 15 years after a panel of three senior judges in London deemed the original sentence unduly lenient.

Monery, aged 56 and residing on Swanfield Drive in Chichester, was convicted in May of multiple sexual offences involving a vulnerable schoolgirl. The court heard that he had raped and assaulted the young girl, during which he falsely professed his love for her and assured her he would not harm her. The victim, who was a schoolgirl at the time, reported the abuse to police, leading to Monery’s arrest and subsequent conviction.

At Chichester Crown Court, Monery was sentenced to ten years in prison for his crimes. However, the case did not end there. On Thursday, July 20, the case was brought before a panel of judges in London, where the appeal was heard. Monery watched the proceedings via a video link from his prison cell, and as Lord Justice Gross delivered the verdict, he lowered his head in apparent resignation. The judges agreed that the original sentence did not adequately reflect the severity of the offences committed.

Lord Justice Gross, sitting alongside Mrs Justice May and Sir Andrew Smith, emphasized the gravity of the case, describing it as “a very bad case” involving “serious offences.” He pointed out that Monery had fought the case, forcing the victim to relive her trauma repeatedly, and criticized the defence for attempting to shift blame onto the victim. The judges concluded that the original ten-year sentence was insufficient and ordered that it be increased to 15 years, ensuring that the punishment more accurately represented the seriousness of the crimes.

In the original trial at Brighton Crown Court, Monery was convicted after a four-day trial of a series of sexual assaults committed over three years, from 1999 to 2001, against a girl aged between 12 and 15. The offences included seven counts of indecent assault, one attempted rape, and one rape. The victim, who had kept her ordeal private for years, finally came forward in 2014, feeling empowered to do so after enduring years of emotional distress. She expressed her feelings of relief upon the conviction, stating, “The reason I came forward after so long is that he showed no remorse and I believe he needed to know he was in the wrong and I deserved justice. Now he has been found guilty I feel a great sense of relief and I can finally move forward with my life.”

Detective Constable Graham Gray of the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit commented on the case, highlighting how Monery gained the girl’s trust and systematically abused her over a prolonged period. He noted that Monery made no comment during police interviews and pleaded not guilty throughout the legal process. The victim’s courage in coming forward was acknowledged as a vital step in securing justice.

Overall, the case underscores the importance of perseverance in bringing offenders like Monery to justice and ensuring that their sentences reflect the gravity of their crimes. The increased sentence serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences faced by those who commit such heinous acts against vulnerable children.