Antony Curtis

A 59-year-old man from Marlock, Somerset, has been convicted of a series of historical sexual offences against children committed in the 1980s. Antony Curtis, formerly of Kings Road in Evesham, Worcestershire, denied 19 charges involving indecency with a child and indecent assaults. The offences targeted three girls and two boys, all aged between six and 15 at the time.

The trial took place at Worcester Crown Court and lasted almost two weeks. A jury comprising seven women and five men deliberated for nine-and-a-half hours before delivering majority verdicts of guilty on all counts, with a 10-to-2 majority. The charges relate to incidents that occurred when Curtis was living in the Evesham area during the 1980s.

Curtis, who served as a corporal in the King’s Own Hussars in the 1970s, was also a special constable in Evesham and a karate instructor. At the time of the trial, he was described as having significant health issues, including breathing problems and post-traumatic stress disorder, requiring an oxygen backpack and a walking stick. He is a full-time carer for his wife.

Judge Robert Juckes stated that a substantial prison term was inevitable for Curtis. However, sentencing was deferred pending a report to assess whether he still poses a danger to others. Curtis was remanded in custody and is scheduled to return to court on Monday for sentencing. The case was reported by The Evesham Journal in partnership with USA Today, highlighting the gravity of the historical child sex offences.