Former North Wales police chief Gordon Anglesea sentenced to 12 years in prison

Former  North Wales police superintendent Gordon Anglesea has been jailed for 12 years for sexually abusing boys in the 1980s.

Anglesea, 79, is the highest-profile offender brought to justice through the National Crime Agency’s Operation Pallial, the investigation into allegations of widespread child abuse in north Wales.

[miptheme_quote author=”Chief Constable of North Wales Police Mark Polin” style=”boxquote text-left”]I am saddened that a former NWP officer was one of these individuals and I would like to apologise again on behalf of the force to those whose lives he so traumatically affected[/miptheme_quote]

At an earlier trial a jury at Mold Crown Court found Anglesea guilty of an indecent assault against one boy, and three indecent assaults against another following a six-week trial, the offences date back to the 1980’s.

The offences took place against two boys, then aged 14. Anglesea was found guilty of three sexual assaults against one boy while he was on police duty at an attendance centre near Wrexham.

The other boy was sexually abused while Anglesea was off duty and at a private address.

Passing sentence Judge Geraint Walters told Anglesea “You do not need me to say that as a person whose obligation it was to uphold the law and protect the vulnerable, your offences against those vulnerable boys grossly abused the trust placed in you. The consequences for them has been profound, indeed life-changing.”

Statement by Chief Constable Mark Polin following the sentencing of Gordon Anglesea

“At the outset of Operation Pallial I said that all abusers of children should keep looking over their shoulder.

Time has caught up with Gordon Anglesea and today’s sentence of 12 years reflects the serious abuse of authority and trust that he used to offend against vulnerable victims who should have been safe in his presence.

It is true to say that no occupation is immune from individuals who will exploit their position of authority and trust to abuse vulnerable victims, but people expect and deserve better from the police.

I am saddened that a former NWP officer was one of these individuals and I would like to apologise again on behalf of the force to those whose lives he so traumatically affected.”

Commenting on today’s sentencing an NSPCC Cymru spokesman said:

“Gordon Anglesea abused his position of trust and authority and his actions will have caused long-lasting damage to his victims.

It is right that he will now spend a considerable amount of time in prison for the sickening crimes he committed.
Anglesea should have protected and supported vulnerable children, but instead he targeted and exploited them.

They were robbed of their childhoods and must be commended for the incredible bravery they showed by giving evidence in court.

We hope that this sentence provides some comfort to them and shows that no stone will go unturned when it comes to investigating cases of past sexual abuse.

It is also thanks to the work of officers within Operation Pallial that Anglesea was brought to trial so many years after his crimes and justice secured.”

Roy McComb, NCA Deputy Director for Specialist Investigations, said:

“Gordon Anglesea abused children who should have been safe in his presence and caused lasting damage that only his victims can truly know and understand.

Gordon Anglesea abused children who should have been safe in his presence and caused lasting damage that only his victims can truly know and understand.

They have shared just some of that impact with the court during the trial.

I believe the sentence of 12 years imposed by this court today reflects the serious abuse of trust that Gordon Anglesea perpetrated in order to facilitate his sexual offending.

I would like to thank all those who had the trust and confidence in the NCA to come forward with information or evidence in this case.”

Anglesea was arrested in December 2013 by officers working on Operation Pallial, an independent NCA investigation into recent allegations of past abuse in the care system in North Wales.

Nine people have been convicted of abusing children as a result of the investigation so far, including care-home owner John Allen, and a network of five men, who were sentenced to a total of 43 years in prison in September 2015.

Roy Norry, aged 55, a former local radio presenter from Connah’s Quay, Flintshire, was found guilty of six offences, (five of indecent assault and one buggery). He was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2015.

There are 69 complaints under active investigation at this time and charging advice from the Crown Prosecution Service is expected in respect of a number of other individuals.

Operation Pallial continues to work closely with partners to ensure victims and witnesses are provided with appropriate advice and support.

Support is being coordinated by Conwy Social Services on behalf of all local authorities in North Wales.