A man who raped a woman and sexually assaulted several other women has been jailed for 12 years.
Anthony Williams, 40, targeted women by posing as a professional photographer and asked them to take part in photoshoots.
After one woman reported to police about what Williams had done to her, an investigation was launched by Gloucestershire Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team and several other victims were identified.
He was subsequently charged with 17 counts relating to nine women. These included one count of rape, two counts of assault by penetration and 14 other sexual offences relating to touching without consent.
Following a four week trial, a jury found him guilty of all of the offences, and on 22 January this year he was sentenced to eight years in prison.
This sentence was appealed under the Unduly Lenient Sentencing scheme and the Attorney General sent the case to the Court of Appeal. The sentence has since been increased from eight years to 12 years.
During his trial, the court heard how Williams targeted women by messaging them on Instagram using a photography business account he had set-up and offered his services as a photographer.
In November 2021 one of the women reported to police what Williams had done to her. A second woman then also came forward and made a report to police.
Officers arrested Williams and he was interviewed in relation to the two victims. He provided a statement to say he had consensually digitally penetrated one of the victims, and denied sexually assaulting the second woman.
A search of his home studio in Lobleys Drive, Brockworth took place, and paperwork was seized which detailed photoshoot contracts with several other women.
Efforts were made by the investigating officer to contact all of them, and as a result seven other victims were identified, one of whom Williams had raped in July 2021.
The women live across the country and they all agreed to take part in police video interviews, detailing what Williams had done to them, which were played in court.
The offences took place over a six month period in 2021.
In one photoshoot Williams put his hand around a woman’s throat, sexually assaulted her and then raped her.
In other instances he was seen to have an erection during photoshoots and would make inappropriate sexualised comments.
He would adjust women’s clothing, often without their consent, and sexually assaulted them in the process.
Williams gave evidence in court and said that if he had touched anyone when adjusting clothing, that it was not intentional. He also claimed some of the offences were consensual.
The jury did not agree and he was found guilty on 11 October 2024. He had previous convictions for theft and fraud offences.
Along with the jail term he was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order which includes banning him from engaging in any business, paid or unpaid, concerning the taking of any photographic or video image of a member of the public using any device. He will also be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
Investigating Officer Detective Constable Simone Bowley said: “Williams targeted these women online, sexually assaulted them, and then by failing to admit what he had done to them caused them all to endure a lengthy trial.
“The women who came forward and worked with us throughout this prolonged and difficult process have not just been incredibly brave but also patient. I wish to personally commend them and thank them for their courage.
“If someone has sexually assaulted you, we do not underestimate how difficult it is to come forward and report something, but please know that we have a dedicated team who investigate crimes like this and who are determined to put sexual offenders such as Williams behind bars.”
After his sentence was increased, the first woman who came forward said: “The damage caused to me by Williams is completely irreparable. My family’s life was torn apart.
“I walked into his studio the happiest, most confident I’d been for years. My life was awesome and he was meant to help complete my goal of becoming a model.
“Instead he shattered my confidence, caused Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and made me feel as if my life was over. Not to mention he dragged us all through the gruelling justice system and to be cross-examined.
“I am proud I came forward and reported him and I never gave up. Trust me I wanted to. I’m proud that he will remain in prison as my daughter enters adulthood and I’ve kept other women safe.
“To the other women in this case – I couldn’t have done it without you and I’m thankful you stood with me.”
Statements from all nine women were read to the court during Williams’ sentencing, which detailed the impact his offending had on them.
Police have specially trained officers who can provide support and investigate these type of offences.
Call 999 in an emergency, report by calling 101 or online here: https://www.police.uk/pu/contact-us/rape-sexual-assault-or-another-sexual-offence/
Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre provide support for all victims and survivors of sexual violence, for more information visit: https://www.glosrasac.org/
Parts of statements from the other eight women who Williams sexually assaulted, and which were read in court, are below:
Statement one: “I have struggled to pick myself back up and feel unsafe and worried when I am in the presence of males that I don’t know. I have come to rely on family members to protect me and be there when I leave the house for fear of being approached or harmed again. This has impacted my ability to live a normal life and to be able to trust people who mean me no harm.
“I resent the fact that he knew what he did to me and yet he put me through the court process and tried to make me look like a liar. I want him to know that he changed my life. He changed the way I trust and he changed normality for me.
“I hope that I get justice. I also hope that by me standing up to what he did will mean that he can no longer be a danger to other women. I could say that I want him locked away for a long time but I what I really want is for him to receive the right punishment and to know how his behaviour has had such a devastating impact on my life.”
Statement two: “I shared what had happened to me because I wanted to prevent it from happening to anyone else. I felt I was speaking out for all the women who may have gone through the same ordeal as me. I was so relieved when I learnt of the guilty verdict for all of those involved. I felt believed and that meant everything.
“I honestly don’t care what happens to him from here on in. I feel he has taken enough of my life. The only thing I need to know is that this man will never photograph anyone ever again. He did not show remorse and I believe he is not likely to ever be sorry for what he did to us. I am disappointed in him.”
Statement three: “The interplay between physical and emotional pain creates a debilitating cycle that renders my aspirations for recovery increasingly unattainable. This persistent struggle has profoundly impacted all facets of my life, compromising my sense of security, peace, and overall quality of both physical and mental health. I find myself feeling like a mere shadow of my former self.
“I am hopeful when sentencing is delivered that consideration will be given to the devastating and life changing impact this man’s offending has had on not only my life but on all of the women in this case.”
Statement four: “When I knew that he had not pleaded guilty and that I would now have to face going through a trial I was scared and anxious. However I knew that in order to protect other women from going through the ordeal that I went through I had to be heard. When I learned that he had been found guilty I felt relieved. I cried but it was confirmation for me that I had been heard and believed.”
Statement five: “It took me a few days to realise what had happened to me whilst in the address. I began blaming myself a lot. What happened gave me a weird relationship with my modelling and I felt like I couldn’t trust anyone. I had begun to model to build my confidence and now I was left feeling as if I couldn’t carry on.
“After receiving the call from police, I began to feel guilt and hatred of myself for not saying anything and knowing I could have maybe prevented it from happening to other girls.
“I felt a sense of relief when I was told that he had been found guilty and I also felt validated and believed.”
Statement six: “His behaviour has impacted on how I view meeting males alone and has made me feel unable to even go out for a drink with a guy. That has saddened me as I don’t want to think that all men are the same, however when someone violates you it does change your view point.
“I do feel proud that I was part of this investigation as I hope that it means that this man will never be able to offend against women again. I hope that all of us women involved get justice for what happened and that he is never allowed to work alone in a public facing role. I don’t think any length of sentence will change him but it will give us women some peace in the knowledge that he has received punishment for his actions against us.”
Statement seven: “Whilst giving my evidence I felt as if I was the perpetrator, as if I had to prove my innocence. That in itself is an awful experience for someone who did nothing but trust a man to take some photographs of them.
“I now feel safe. I know he can’t touch me now. I hope that whilst serving whatever sentence he is given that he takes the opportunity to make efforts to rehabilitate. I hope that being on the Sex Offenders’ Register will prevent him from ever working as a photographer again. I also hope that he is able to show some remorse for the damage he has caused not only to myself, but for all the ladies involved in this case.”
Statement eight: “Over the passage of time I tried to put the incident to the back of my mind. However it always managed to come to the forefront. I have always been an approachable, friendly person who trusted people. As a result of this incident I have struggled with relationships with men and I blame this on Anthony Williams. His actions have made me question whether in fact I will ever be able to fully trust any new male that may enter my life professionally or personally.
“I am hopeful that he will reflect on what he has done and to understand how many women he has affected by his abhorrent behaviour. His lack of respect for women should mean that he is never allowed to photograph anyone again.”
