CHARLES ARCHER FROM ASHBY AND CHURCH GRESLEY JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON TEENAGE WORKERS

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local communities of Ashby and Church Gresley, Charles Archer, aged 48, has been sentenced to two years in prison after being convicted of multiple sexual assaults against young female employees. Archer, a prominent car dealership boss, earned the nickname 'octopus arms' due to his repeated inappropriate behavior, which was characterized by a pattern of groping and sexual misconduct spanning over two decades.

His misconduct was brought to light during a detailed trial at Leicester Crown Court, where he was found guilty of 11 separate sexual assault charges involving three teenage girls and a woman in her twenties. The incidents dated back from 1989 to 2009, revealing a disturbing history of abuse. The court heard that Archer, who owned a Ford dealership called Archer’s of Ashby in Leicestershire, exploited his position of authority to prey on vulnerable young women eager to maintain their employment.

One particularly troubling incident involved Archer groping a 17-year-old employee’s breasts just three days after she began working at his dealership. This act of misconduct was just one among many, as the court was told that Archer had a pattern of inappropriate touching, including leaning over computers to touch his victims and, in some cases, touching them in more intimate ways. The court also heard that Archer posed for a Christmas party photograph with one arm around his wife and the other hand on an employee’s breast, illustrating his blatant disregard for boundaries and propriety.

Judge Simon Hammond, presiding over the case, condemned Archer’s behavior, describing him as a 'serial groper' who abused his power and displayed a significant lack of respect. The judge emphasized that Archer’s actions were motivated by a desire to exploit the young women’s eagerness to keep their jobs, and he criticized Archer for attempting to undermine the credibility of some victims during the trial. The judge stated, “He displayed a lack of respect and showed arrogance. He’s a serial groper.”

During the proceedings, the court was also informed of Archer’s attempts to intimidate and bully victims into silence. Prosecutor Mary Prior revealed that Archer had visited a nightclub and threatened a woman’s boyfriend, warning him that he would 'destroy' her if she testified against him. Additionally, Archer tried to bribe another victim by offering her the use of a luxury £20,000 car. When one young victim’s father confronted Archer about his behavior, Archer begged him not to tell his wife, further illustrating his manipulative tactics.

One of the most disturbing revelations was that Archer was so comfortable with his misconduct that he was photographed touching a girl’s breast during a party, with his arm around his wife. The court was shown this photograph as evidence of his inappropriate behavior. The victims recounted how Archer would often lean over their desks and touch them without consent, with some incidents occurring shortly after they started working for him. Despite claiming that his actions were merely horseplay and that his victims were attempting to frame him, Archer’s defense was ultimately unsuccessful.

In his defense, Archer’s lawyer, Mark Watson, stated that Archer “unequivocally apologizes” for his actions. However, the court did not accept his claims of innocence, and Archer was convicted of the majority of the charges. He was acquitted of four other charges of indecent assault, but the severity of his convictions led to his imprisonment.

Charles Archer, who resides in Church Gresley, Derbyshire, now faces the consequences of his actions, which have left a lasting impact on his victims and the communities of Ashby and Church Gresley. His case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals from abuse of power and misconduct in the workplace.