A former member of the Met Police who repeatedly molested three teenage girls—who for years didn’t report him because of his employment—has been sentenced to 24 years in prison.
Between 1993 and 1997, Anthony Smith, 56, committed the horrifying attacks, which one victim described as making her feel “worthless and terrified.”
According to Surrey Police, the three girls were victims of crimes when they were between the ages of 13 and 17.
After being found guilty of gross indecency with a child in a separate case, Smith quit the force in 2004.
One of his victims finally reported that Smith had abused her when she was a teenager, and an investigation was subsequently opened.
Soon after, according to information presented to Guildford Crown Court, the other two complainants came forward.
They all related how Smith repeatedly sexually assaulted and raped them during the trial in June.
One of Smith’s victims spoke about how he intimidated her and made her feel “worthless and terrified.”
‘To the outside world you were a pillar of the community, a wonderful example of a police officer – but here you were, abusing your position of trust, making me feel helpless, guilty, and embarrassed of what I was being pushed to do,’ she added while describing the effect the abuse had on her life.
“I struggle every day to fight the feelings of guilt, shame, and anxiety that have become part of my “normal.”
“My intimate relationships have suffered as a result of the shame I have carried around for my entire life as a victim of abuse.
A child sexual abuse victim once said, “Even though I know the assault was not my fault, the shame never totally departs.”
After a three-week trial, Smith of Weybridge, Surrey, was found guilty of 13 counts of rape and sexual assault against the three victims despite having contested the accusations.
Prior to joining the Met in 1987, he worked as a swimming instructor in Llandudno, Wales. He was a serving officer at the time of the abuse.
In response to one of the victims coming forward and reporting the abuse she had endured at the hands of Smith, we opened an investigation, according to Detective Sergeant Matt Cable of Surrey Police’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team.
This prompted the disclosure of two more victims, which sparked a thorough investigation that was complicated by other claims of long-term, severe sexual abuse, including rape.
Smith was in a position of authority when he committed his crimes as a police officer, which prevented his victims from speaking out about what he had done to them until many years had passed.
“The sentence he has been given today illustrates the depth of his predatory behaviour in the way he preyed upon young girls and exploited them for his own pleasure.”
These three ladies should be able to go on with their lives knowing that he has been finally brought to justice for his horrible and unjustifiable acts if they see him behind bars.
I want to reassure anybody who has experienced sexual abuse in any manner that they will always be heard and that all claims will be carefully examined.