Anthony Gorringe

Anthony Gorringe, a 66-year-old man from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, was convicted of multiple serious sexual offences against vulnerable teenagers and sentenced to 24 years in prison at St Albans Crown Court in 2018. The offences spanned several years and involved the sexual assault, rape, and exploitation of both a teenage girl and a teenage boy.

Gorringe's first victim was a 15-year-old girl whom he sexually assaulted and raped on multiple occasions between 2009 and 2013. He further exploited her by forcing her into sexual activity with other individuals, including Barry Gaynor, who engaged in sex with the girl in exchange for payment related to vehicle work. For these crimes against the girl, Gorringe was found guilty of three counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, 10 counts of causing sexual activity without consent, and one count of causing child prostitution.

Additionally, Gorringe was convicted of offences against a teenage boy between 2004 and 2007, including two counts of rape and four counts of causing sexual activity without consent. These acts demonstrated a pattern of predatory behaviour targeting vulnerable young people in the Stevenage area.

Gorringe, formerly residing at Shoreham Close in Stevenage, was serving his sentence at HMP Isle of Wight when he died on 25 January 2026. The circumstances surrounding his death remain unknown, prompting an independent investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO), which routinely examines all custodial deaths in England and Wales.

In a statement, a PPO spokesperson said: "The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman is conducting an independent investigation into the death of Anthony Gorringe at HMP Isle of Wight on January 25, 2026. Our investigation will seek to understand what happened leading up to his death and identify any learning." The investigation aims to provide clarity on the events leading to his passing and to identify potential improvements in prison care.

The case was reported by The Comet, a Hertfordshire-based news outlet, highlighting Gorringe's notoriety as a child rapist in the local community. The convictions were secured through evidence presented at St Albans Crown Court, underscoring the severity of his crimes against minors.