ANTHONY BALL FROM ATHERSTONE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN WARWICKSHIRE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Warwickshire, Anthony Ball, a 55-year-old man residing on Merevale Lane in Atherstone, has been convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed over nearly two decades. The crimes, which involved the sexual abuse of teenage boys during scout camps, came to light after a lengthy investigation and court proceedings that revealed a pattern of predatory behavior spanning from 1992 to 2010.

Ball, who previously served as a scout leader, pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to multiple charges, including four counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. His guilty plea followed a detailed examination of his actions, which included unzipping sleeping bags of sleeping boys at scout camps, often after providing them with alcohol, which he sometimes supplied himself. The court heard that these assaults occurred over an 18-year period, highlighting a disturbing pattern of exploitation and abuse.

Prosecutor Sharon Bahia outlined the gravity of the case, stating that there were five victims in total. The court was informed that some of the abuse took place at scout camps, with one victim, now in his 30s, recounting an incident from a trip to France. According to his testimony, he was about 14 years old when Ball, during a night when he had been drinking cider and lager, entered his bunk and told him, “You’re drunk. You’ve been naughty. I’m going to punish you.” This statement was followed by inappropriate behavior that left a lasting impact on the victim.

Another victim, also in his 30s, described an incident at a scout camp where Ball initially appeared to be comforting him after he was upset. However, the situation quickly turned sinister when Ball sexually assaulted him, betraying the trust placed in him as a scout leader. The court also heard that Ball had a prior conviction in July 2012, when he was given a three-year community order after admitting to downloading indecent images of boys on his home computer. These images ranged from level 1 to level 4 in severity, and the police had discovered them during an unrelated investigation.

During the sentencing, Judge Feest condemned Ball’s actions, emphasizing the breach of trust and the vulnerability of his victims. The judge stated, “Knowing they were under age, and vulnerable because of that, you repeatedly used your position to abuse them. One can only imagine what it felt like to wake in the middle of the night to find your scout leader behind you fondling you. You got people drunk and you abused your position of trust, and this went on over a period of about 18 years.”

He further added, “It seems to me, particularly being in denial as you are, that you do pose a risk of committing further offences of this kind, and of causing serious harm. In my judgement, you are a dangerous offender.” As a result, Anthony Ball was sentenced to a total of seven years in prison, comprising a four-year term with an additional three-year extension on license following his release. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order that restricts his contact with children.

Ball’s defense argued that he had no memory of the incidents but accepted that his behavior must have been as described. His lawyer, Robert Hodgkinson, highlighted that Ball had no other criminal record and that he had been employed as a forester for the Merevale Estate, living in accommodation provided by his employer. Hodgkinson expressed concern that a jail sentence would result in the loss of both his job and his home, which he argued would be unjust given the circumstances.

In conclusion, the court’s verdict underscores the severity of Ball’s misconduct and the lasting impact on his victims. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals and the need for strict measures to prevent such abuse from occurring in community organizations like scouting groups.