ANTHONY LANE FROM DROITWICH SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN WORCESTER

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Droitwich and the wider Worcester area, Anthony Lane, known locally as Tony, has been handed a severe prison sentence of 14 years after being found guilty of multiple counts of indecent assault. The conviction was delivered at Worcester Crown Court, where Lane, aged 78 and residing on Mayflower Road in Droitwich, faced justice for his heinous crimes.

During the court proceedings, Lane displayed signs of remorse or perhaps discomfort, as he hung his head in the dock and avoided eye contact with his victim. Instead, he was seen fiddling with his face mask, a remnant of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic protocols. His demeanor contrasted sharply with that of the survivor, a woman who courageously read out her victim personal statement in front of the court, bearing witness to the profound impact of his actions.

The victim, who has been granted lifelong anonymity to protect her identity, described her ordeal as the worst crimes imaginable committed against an innocent child. She recounted her experiences of physical violence, emotional torment, and sexual abuse, emphasizing the lifelong scars left by Lane’s actions. Her voice trembled as she told the court, “I stand before you today as a survivor of the worst crimes you can commit against an innocent child. I am a survivor of violent, physical abuse. I am a survivor of persistent emotional abuse. And most importantly, I am a survivor of child sexual abuse.”

She also addressed Lane directly, stating, “I have never had a childhood,” highlighting the profound loss and trauma inflicted upon her during her formative years. The survivor explained that her decision to report the abuse to police came after 28 years, triggered by a chance encounter in the street where Lane made lewd comments and engaged in sexually suggestive gestures, accompanied by laughter. This incident prompted her to finally come forward and seek justice.

Details of the abuse reveal a disturbing pattern that began when she was just 13 years old. Lane, a former welder, initially groped her at the Lido in 1986. Over the subsequent years, the abuse escalated to include sexual assaults involving objects such as a wine bottle and a pen, along with other acts of indecency. These assaults continued until 1989, when the victim was 16. Lane’s chilling remark at that time, “It’s legal now,” underscored his predatory attitude and the abuse she endured.

Following the conviction, two jurors returned to observe the sentencing by Judge Nicolas Cartwright. The judge also imposed a sexual harm prevention order, which restricts Lane’s contact with children once he is released from prison, aiming to prevent any future harm. As Lane was led away to begin his sentence, he was seen gripping a rail in the dock, perhaps seeking support or composure amidst the gravity of his conviction.