ST HELENS PAEDOPHILE ANTHONY BLOOR SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF GIRL IN SOUTHPORT
In September 2020, a disturbing case emerged involving a man from St Helens who was convicted of grooming and sexually abusing a young girl over a period of two years.The perpetrator, Anthony Bloor, aged 30, engaged in a calculated campaign of exploitation that left a lasting impact on his victim.
According to court proceedings, Bloor systematically gained the trust of the young girl by offering her sweets and cash, effectively using these gifts as tools to silence her and facilitate his abuse.
His manipulative tactics included convincing her to perform sexual acts, such as touching his genitals, which he coerced her into doing under the guise of kindness and reward.
The abuse escalated as Bloor’s perverted behavior continued in Southport, where he persuaded the girl to wear a school skirt and, eventually, minimal or no underwear.
This was done to make it easier for him to carry out his inappropriate acts.
The court heard that on at least two occasions, Bloor showed her pornography, attempting to normalize his actions and instruct her on what to do, further corrupting her innocence.
Prosecutor David Toal detailed how Bloor used coded messages to communicate with the girl, asking for help or favors when he intended to abuse her.
He also manipulated her into deleting their exchanged messages, attempting to erase evidence of his misconduct.
However, his efforts were thwarted when authorities discovered texts on his phone, leading to his arrest.
Following his arrest, Bloor denied all allegations, claiming that the girl had acted provocatively and that he felt uncomfortable because of her behavior.
Despite his denials, he continued to deny the charges during the trial and even forced the young girl to testify against him at Liverpool Crown Court.
After a seven-day trial, Bloor was found guilty of multiple charges related to sexual assault and exploitation.
The victim’s family provided a heartfelt victim impact statement, revealing the profound and lasting damage inflicted upon her.
They explained that she had been robbed of her childhood innocence, now feeling unsafe at home and fearful of encountering Bloor in public.
Her emotional well-being had been severely affected, with feelings of fear and isolation taking hold.
In sentencing, Judge Louise Brandon sentenced Bloor to 15 years in prison.
She expressed her concern over the lasting effects on the girl, noting that she had experienced suicidal thoughts, her school performance had declined, and she had become socially isolated.
The judge emphasized the girl’s bravery and resilience, stating, “She is a brave and inspiring young girl.
You on the other hand lied and lied and lied.” She also highlighted Bloor’s dishonesty and manipulative behavior, condemning his actions and ensuring he would serve a significant prison term for his crimes.
