Anthony Spelman, a 57-year-old man, has been sentenced to 23 years in jail after being found guilty of 24 counts of sexual abuse against five teenage boys. The sentencing took place at uk/where/chester/">Chester Crown Court on Friday, November 10. Spelman faced three counts of rape, two counts of indecency with a child, and 19 counts of indecent assault.
Spelman, who was previously incarcerated at Arbour Hill Prison in Ireland, was convicted after a 12-day trial at Chester Crown Court, which concluded on September 5th. The case against him began in 2017 when several men in Crewe came forward to report that they had been victims of Spelman after seeing a court article about him in Irish news publications.
The victims in Crewe revealed that they had also been sexually abused by Spelman as teenage boys between October 1993 and 2002. They described a pattern where Spelman would provide them with alcohol and take them out in his car, sometimes even allowing them to drive. The investigation by Cheshire Police began in 2018, when Spelman was initially arrested for these offences in Crewe while serving his suspended sentence in Ireland.
During the investigation, the Director of Public Prosecutions in Ireland appealed Spelman’s sentence, resulting in a custodial sentence being imposed. Further offences in Ireland came to light during his incarceration, leading to an extension of his sentence. In March 2023, after completing his prison term, Spelman was extradited to the UK, allowing detectives to charge and remand him for the Crewe offences.
In addition to the 23-year jail term, Spelman will serve an additional year on license. He has been subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for an indefinite period and is required to sign the Sex Offender Register indefinitely.
Detective Sergeant Lindsay Wooffitt expressed gratitude to the victims for their bravery in coming forward and commended their strength throughout the trial. She hoped that the sentencing would bring them some closure after carrying the burden of these crimes for 20-30 years. Wooffitt emphasised that Spelman’s crimes were despicable, targeting young boys in the community where they should have felt safe. She encouraged anyone who has experienced similar offences to report them to the police, assuring them that they will be treated with respect and their allegations will be thoroughly investigated.
Individuals who wish to report a sexual offence can contact Cheshire Constabulary at 101. Reports can also be made online at https:///www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report or anonymously through Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
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