**Church Worker Jailed After Online Sexual Abuse of 13-Year-Old**
A former church employee has been sentenced to four years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to a series of sexual offences against a 13-year-old girl, which included instructing her to strip on a webcam. Anthony Arr, 61 and residing in Skegness, Lincolnshire, developed online contact with the girl, leading to months of explicit communication and sexual activity conducted via social media platforms.
The disturbing case, which was heard at Newport Crown Court, revealed the calculated approach Arr took in targeting the victim through social media. Messages sent by Arr to the young teenager often commented on her appearance, calling her “beautiful,” and despite acknowledging the significant age gap, he continued to groom her under the guise of affection. Prosecutors outlined how Arr’s messages soon escalated beyond flattery, transitioning into requests for private and sexual conversations.
Court evidence showed that the defendant orchestrated their video chat sessions during early morning hours, between 2am and 5am, in an attempt to avoid detection. During these webcam exchanges, Arr would ask coded questions like “Are you seeing me? You clear?” to make sure the girl was alone, and then instruct her to undress and perform sexual acts while he did the same. Accounts provided by the victim described how Arr would be naked on camera, dancing and masturbating as he watched her perform at his request.
In a further alarming revelation, Arr attempted to normalise the abuse by telling the victim, “Don’t worry, when we do have sex you won’t be able to get pregnant, I’ve had the snip.” The sexual grooming and abuse continued for approximately six months before Arr abruptly ended contact, blocking the girl and instructing her to approach him again when she reached adulthood. The victim, traumatised and confused, did not report the abuse until nearly ten years later.
During police interviews after his arrest, Arr told officers that he considered himself and the victim to be “boyfriend and girlfriend,” even suggesting that they had made plans to “run away together” once she turned sixteen. He pleaded guilty to two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, as well as two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. The court was informed that prior to these offences, Arr had no previous convictions.
A heartfelt victim impact statement, delivered in court, outlined the far-reaching and devastating impact the abuse had on the young woman’s life. She detailed how the trauma disrupted her education, preventing her from completing her studies and contributing to years of bullying by peers who became aware of the incidents. The emotional and psychological effects persisted well into adulthood, with the victim experiencing severe depression, anxiety, and even psychosis. At one point, she turned to drug use in an attempt to cope, but ultimately found help through therapy.
“I spent so many nights crying myself to sleep, and over time it just got harder,” the victim shared in her statement. She went on to describe the ongoing sense of blame and shame that followed her for years, lamenting how her life had been shaped by the actions of her abuser.
In mitigation, defence barrister Josh Scouller referenced the breakdown of Arr’s marriage at the time of the offence and cited his client’s remorse, together with ongoing health issues such as arthritis. The court heard this was an isolated incident, but the judge was clear in condemning Arr’s exploitation of a vulnerable young girl. “You should be thoroughly ashamed of the damage you have caused,” Judge Carl Harrison remarked in his sentencing.
In addition to his custodial sentence, Arr was made subject to strict sex offender notification requirements and received a restraining order. The gravity of this case again raises concerns about the risks young people face online and the lifelong impact of abuse.
This distressing case stands as a stark warning of the continued threats of online grooming, highlighting the importance of vigilance and robust safeguarding measures for children navigating the digital world. It also brings into focus the courage required for survivors to come forward and the vital role of the justice system in bringing perpetrators to account, no matter when their crimes are revealed.