Exclusive:Parents praise 'brave' youngsters as Waterlooville predator jailed for child sex offences
“The sentence I pass is going to be a lengthy one,” the judge said.
A predator who took advantage of children for his own sexual gain has been handed a “lengthy” prison sentence.
In September this year, Michael Albery was found guilty of one count of raping a child, and two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, relating to incidents that took place in 2023 and 2021.
Albery, 36 of Rodney Way, Waterlooville, forced two children under the age of 13 to touch him inappropriately, raping one of them in the process, the court heard. His victims have a life-long right to anonymity.
The defendant appeared in the dock at Portsmouth Crown Court yesterday (Friday, October 30) for sentencing.
Ed Warren, prosecuting, said: “Both children involved were of a similar age, and both of them said no to Albery - but he forced them to commit these acts.
“The wider impact is quite plain. Harm has clearly been suffered by both children, and we also apply for a sexual harm prevention order.”
On behalf of the children, their parents wrote victim impact statements, which were read out in court.
One said: “Albery robbed my child of their innocence. He exploited them in the most abhorrent way, and inflicted immeasurable damage.
“I don’t know what impact this will have in the years ahead - I fear the lasting consequences of the tramua they endured. My child has shown remarkable strength, courage and resilience, and I am incredibly proud of them.”
Another added: “My child will endure the stress and trauma for the rest of their life. Their innocence was ignored, disregarded and robbed from them.
“They have been so brave in reporting this, and throughout the investigation and court case - but they shouldn’t have had to.”
Albery sat with his arms crossed and head bowed while the victim impact statements were read.
In mitigation, Philip Allman, representing Albery, explained that the defendant suffered from emotional unstable personality disorder, and had been both drinking and taking drugs at the time these offences were committed.
He also told the court that Albery has faced “quite violent behaviour” while in custody, with other prison inmates being acutely aware of his crimes.
“Anything I say is not designed to undermine the seriousness of what he’s being sentenced for,” he added. “During the trial he was unable to contain his emotions.
“There’s an acceptance now of the jury’s findings, albeit not fully - that’s a step forward, and some progress from his position of complete denial.”
Sentencing Albery, Recorder Gemma White said: “You created an environment that amounted to grooming. You handed yourself in to police and denied the allegations; you maintained that stance at trial.
“It’s likely your victims will carry the consequences of your behaviour in the future.
“The sentence I pass is going to be a lengthy one.”
With consecutive punishments for each victim, Albery was sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison. He will spend one year on licence, and has been made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.