May 2015

‘Calculating’ pervert (66) who groomed schoolgirl for sex sentenced to 10 years in prison

A ‘CALCULATING’ paedophile who groomed a 15-year-old girl for sex has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Anthony Hart stood emotionless as he was sentenced for his sickening crimes at Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday.

The 66-year-old South African national, who moved to the UK 24 years ago, groomed his fragile victim over a three-week period after they met in December 2013.

During their sordid relationship they exchanged more than 800 text messages, during which Hart, who professed to be a dedicated Christian, told the young girl he loved her and referred to her as his future wife.

During his trial, Hart told the court how he filmed her dancing around his lounge while she was wearing a red thong in a bid to increase her “low self-esteem” and admitted performing a sex act on her.

A jury of eight woman and four men yesterday found him guilty of one count of meeting a child following sexual grooming, eight counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of committing an act intended to pervert the course of justice

Sentencing, Judge John Harrow said Hart, of Purewell Cross Road, Christchurch, had groomed the vulnerable victim from the outset and manipulated the young girl into hiding the abuse from her mother.

He said: “It is clear that you knew full well you were headed to towards a sexual relationship.

“In my opinion you were grooming her for what clearly transpired. You took her back to your home and you abused her in many ways, including penetrative sex.”

Judge Harrow said the abuse had had a significant damaging effect on the child.

He told the pensioner: “You had a substantial degree of control over her and in the latter stages she was clearly emotionally very disturbed – feeling that the devil would control her.”

Hart was sentenced for a total of 10 years in prison for all counts, which dated between September 2013 and February 2014.

He will also be made to sign the sex offender’s register after he is released from prison.

DC Ben Morgan, who led the investigation, said he felt justice had been done.

He said: “Anthony Hart was very calculating in the manner he went about his crimes and he groomed a very vulnerable young member of the community.

“I hope this shows there are support mechanisms in place at Dorset Police and other agencies to support people in coming forward and reporting these crimes.”