Child sex offender jailed

A 60-year-old man has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of nine child sexual abuse offences.

Anthony Dugard, of Park Drive in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Friday (22 November), following an investigation carried out by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).

Dugard was arrested on 4 July 2024 in Swindon where he’d travelled to meet who he thought was a child with the intention of abusing them. Instead, he was met by SWROCU officers.

Dugard was arrested as part of a proactive police operation led by the Online Investigations Team at the SWROCU. This team works alongside a national network of officers tackling offences online, including child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Dugard pleaded guilty to four child sex offences and was remanded in custody.

Following his remand and upon examination of his mobile telephone, officers became aware of further offences committed against a real child.

The child, who was only 15 years old when she was abused by Dugard, was able to provide evidence that he had coerced and exploited her over a period of several months. Dugard was charged and subsequently pleaded guilty to a further five child sexual abuse offences.

Whilst handing him his sentence, Judge JN Townsend told the court: “I pay tribute to the victim in this case to her engagement to the Criminal Justice Process in bringing Mr Dugard to justice.” Dugard will also be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years.

In her personal impact statement, the victim’s mother said: “It makes me so sad that [she] has been through this and I’m so sorry that I couldn’t protect her.

"The actions of this man have caused me to feel like I have let my daughter down massively and for that I am truly sorry. I am so proud of her and the fact that she has taken the big step of voicing her truths and telling the police what happened to her and take comfort in knowing that she can now find peace and start her healing process, knowing that the wrongs will be righted.

“[She] has made me very proud by speaking out and in knowing that she will have helped many others in doing so.”

DI David Wells from SWROCU said: “Dugard has caused substantial suffering to the victim and her family and I thank her for speaking up about his predatory behaviour. He poses a significant risk to children and I welcome the sentence handed down to him today.”

The NSPCC website has clear and extensive advice for parents and carers, children and young people, and professionals to keeping safe online.

If you have concerns about your own use of the internet or inappropriate thoughts or behaviour about children, or you are worried about how someone you know behaves, contact the Lucy Faithfull Foundation.