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Judge brands child sex predator Anthony Farr from Bradfield Southend a ‘monster’




A CHILD molester who tried to frame his young victim as a lying attention seeker was branded a “monster” by a judge.

Paedophile hairdresser Anthony ‘Tony’ Farr is behind bars today, with a damning and defiant statement from the girl – his helpless plaything no longer – ringing in his ears.

Anthony Farr
Anthony Farr

Judge Neill Millard, passing sentence at Reading Crown Court on Friday, June 27, told Farr: “You’ve sought to blame everyone else for everything; you blamed your ex-partner for your downloading and viewing thousands of child porn images.

“You blamed [your victim’s father] for putting her up to ‘false allegations’; you even blamed the press for reporting your previous convictions.

“Well, Mr Farr – today there is no one else to blame.”

During his trial in May, 59-year-old Farr, who ran a home visiting hairdressing business across West Berkshire, sought to persuade jurors that he was the real victim, blaming the criminal justice system and the press for his downfall.

He described the girl as a lying “attention seeker” and added: “This is all just perfect for [her].”

The court heard how he had gained access to a seven-year-old girl in the Newbury postal area and sexually abused her, warning her not to tell because no one would believe her.

He had previously been jailed, having admitted possessing 20,000 indecent images of children, including child rape, having used search terms such as ‘Lolita’ and ‘Daddy’s little girl’.

But, giving evidence in his latest trial, Farr,of Southend Road, Bradfield Southend, insisted that had all been a stitch up.

He claimed he had only pleaded guilty after a lawyer supposedly told him: “Shut your f****** mouth.”

And he claimed a judge had dispensed with proper procedure by banging a gavel and simply declaring: “It’s an open and shut case – 18 months.”

Judge Millard had to remind Farr that UK judges do not use gavels.

Jurors found Farr guilty of penetrative sexual assault and of causing or inciting a child to touch his genitals.

He has 10 previous convictions, including one for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

His victim summoned the courage to face Farr and read her victim impact statement herself during Friday’s sentencing hearing.

She told him: “No words can explain the trauma I experienced.”

She described “terrifying visions and flashbacks” amid bouts of self harm and said: “I was young and vulnerable and you knew that.

“You abused me time after time for your disgusting self gratification; you knew what you were doing was disgusting and wrong when you said: ‘Shhhh – don’t tell.’

“I felt embarrassed, ashamed and scared.

“But now I’m free of your evil touch… today is my day, to tell my story.

“And because I’m strong – because I am truthful and brave – I got justice.

“You have to live with what you did.

“But I will not let what you did define me; I am not your victim – I am the one who survived you.”

Michael Phillips, for Farr, handed in character references from a former girlfriend and from Farr’s current partner.

He said: “The best mitigation I can offer is that these offences occurred some time ago now.

“When he came out of prison back in 2017 he did make a determined effort to turn his life around; no other complainants have come forward, although the offences were publicised.”

Judge Millard praised his victim’s courage and said: “No one present could be but moved by the words she spoke.

“She was hospitalised [as a result of the trauma]; it affected her schooling and relationships.

“You sought to paint her as a problem child and a liar; you sought to blame everyone but yourself.”

He said young children were often afraid of imaginary monsters but that, in this case, “there was a real monster – named Anthony ‘Tony’ Farr.”

Judge Millard jailed Farr for 12 years, eight of which will be served in custody and the remainder on licence in the community.

He will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.



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