Victims of vile paedophile who struck in Fenland town bravely speak of devastating impact his offending had on their lives

Victims of predatory paedophile Anthony Lewis spoke of the devastating impact his offending had had on their lives as he was handed a life sentence today.
Lewis pictured in the early 2000sLewis pictured in the early 2000s
Lewis pictured in the early 2000s

The 58-year-old, of Yeomans Court, Meeting Lane, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 11 years before being considered for release after admitting a string of rapes and sexual offences against children as young as four over a 30 year period. Norfolk Police said offences were committed in March, Cambridgeshire, as well as in a number of counties across the east of England.

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Statements from all of Lewis’ victims were read out to Norwich Crown Court, with each describing how the abuse has affected their lives and relationships. Many of them revealed their struggles in later life with alcohol and drug abuse as well as mental health issues.

After being abused, one victim described how her relationships with boys and men have never been the same since. She said: “I felt I couldn’t be around boys or men at all, including my own brother. I couldn’t trust him. The relationship with my brother has never been the same since.”

She also described the relief of finding out Lewis was being brought to justice. “I felt I could breathe again, I didn’t have to keep looking over my shoulder anymore…. he’ll go away for a long time and can’t hurt anyone else.”

Another victim said: “He took away my innocence, my childhood and my ability to form relationships with others.”

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Describing the impact of his offending, another victim said: “The long-term impact on me has been horrendous… I struggle to be able to trust anybody. Life experiences I have should have enjoyed were all tainted by what Lewis did to me.”

In another statement read out to court, his victim said: “I don’t trust anybody, not even my own family. I’ve had nightmares for as long as I can remember. I would be chased by a shadowy figure. I would be running, screaming, but no one could hear. That room – it’s always in that room but now as an adult I feel stuck in there and can’t get out. I don’t know how to feel about him being convicted. I do know I want him to feel fear about going to prison, even for a second, so he feels the fear that I felt.”

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Lewis led a horrific campaign of calculated abuse that stretched across three long decades and left a trail of trauma along the way.

“Thanks to the bravery of his victims in recounting their life-changing ordeals, this horrendous abuse has finally come to an end and Lewis has been brought to justice.

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“Speaking out about child sexual abuse is incredibly difficult for survivors of this awful crime but this case shows that they will be listened to, no matter how much time has passed.”

Hendrika Tatam, a specialist rape and serious sexual offences prosecutor, said: “This case demonstrates that where there is sufficient evidence we will not shy away from prosecuting perpetrators of sexual abuse no matter how long ago the offences were committed and we worked closely with the police to ensure that he was brought to justice for his despicable conduct.

“We want every victim to have the confidence to report what happens to them to the police. The police will investigate and gather evidence, and where there is sufficient evidence, the CPS will proceed to prosecution.”

Anyone who may have been affected by anything raised in this case can contact police in their local area on 101.

The freephone NSPCC helpline 0808 800 5000 is available for anyone to report or seek advice about non-recent abuse. Calls can be made anonymously.