Baby sexually abused by Peterborough '˜nightmare' husband and wife babysitters

A husband and wife sexually assaulted a 13-month-old baby in offences described as 'every parent's worst nightmare.'
Lara and Michael ChaseLara and Michael Chase
Lara and Michael Chase

Michael and Lara Chase of Bathurst, Orton Goldhay, took advantage of the girl they were baby-sitting and are now due to be sentenced tomorrow.

Michael Chase (52) had pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and possession of indecent and extreme images last November.

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And on Monday at Peterborough Crown Court, Lara Chase (46) was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault and the distribution of indecent images her husband had already admitted taking.

During the trial, she had said she was unaware of her husband’s paedophilia and claimed that the pair were now separated and that she would like to see him “hung, drawn and quartered.”

Photos used during the trial included the victim being sexually assaulted by Michael Chase, with the jury deciding that his wife had been assisting him in his actions.

The sexual assaults themselves are too graphic to be described in this newspaper.

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Lara Chase had repeatedly insisted that she had been unaware of the incriminating photographs of her husband and the victim.

Sally Hobson, prosecuting, asked if she had known that her husband was taking photos of the victim with the flash on while all three of them were in the same room.

But she stated that the first she knew of any indecent images was during her first police interview. Detective Constable Lloyd Metselaar said: “I am pleased that the family of the victim in this case have received justice for what can only be described as ‘every parent’s worst nightmare’.

The appalling acts committed together by both Mr and Mrs Chase on such a young child, who had been entrusted in their care, demonstrate the most serious breach of trust.

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“This case demonstrates the determination and 
dedication of Cambridgeshire’s specially trained officers who will bring to justice anyone involved in targeting the most vulnerable of society.”

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