October 2013

Jailed child rapist will miss birth of triplets

THE pregnant fiancée of a sex beast jailed for raping a 12-year-old Coulsdon girl is standing by her man.

Anthony Bailey, 23, was sentenced on Monday after being convicted of raping the girl in 2011.

But his partner, who is due to give birth to his triplets in January, insists he is innocent.

She told the Advertiser: “He does not do anything like that – he is innocent. I have known him for ten years so I know his character.”

Croydon Crown Court had heard that Bailey, of Palmers Road, Norbury, had “befriended” the girl who became “infatuated” with him.

The jury was told he had threatened the girl and told her if the truth came out, she should say she had sex with his brother.

Bailey’s fiancée, who asked not to be named, said: “It is distressing to see someone you know and love dragged through the courts when they are innocent.

“We were expecting he would be found not guilty – because he is not guilty. We are still getting married, when he is released.”

Sentencing Bailey on Monday, Judge Jeremy Gold QC said: “You befriended her and that friendship led to full sexual intercourse. You did not use force and she did consent, but you took advantage of her vulnerability to groom her over the preceding months and committed this offence.

“She was infatuated with you and not mature enough to deal with your sexual advances.”

Prosecutor Nicholas Alexander told the court: “The aggravating features are that there were threats to the victim if she reported the incident.”

Bailey was cleared of a further four counts and his defence said he was not a “predatory paedophile” but an “intelligent hard-working man who will find a lengthy prison sentence devastating.”

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register.