COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

Four members of a Coventry family have been convicted of horrifying child abuse stretching back 30 years in what an investigating detective called “one of the worst cases of systematic sexual abuse” she had ever seen



They were sentenced following an eight week trial at Birmingham Crown Court after two others and a close friend pleaded guilty to similar and related crimes at an earlier hearing.

The offences range from neglect to sexual assault and rape of children aged between two and 15.

Today (Wednesday, May 23) Anthony Potts, aged 49 of Milverton Road was found guilty of 13 counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, nine counts of inciting a child to perform a sexual act and cruelty – all against children.

Nathan Potts, aged 26 from Burnaby Road was also found guilty of two counts of rape of a child, four counts of sexual assault, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sex with an adult relative.

Joshua Potts, aged 26 also from Burnaby Road was convicted of multiple counts of rape and sexual assault against children at an earlier hearing.

Keith and Julie Potts, aged 67 and 60 from Burnaby Road were both found guilty of two counts of cruelty to a child.

Investigating officer detective sergeant Rachel Gregory, from the force’s Public Protection Unit, said: “This is one of the worst cases of systematic and horrifying child sexual abuse that I have ever seen and I am pleased that the jury have found the defendants guilty.

“The investigation was complex and a lot of time and care has been spent with the survivors in helping them to find the courage to talk about what happened to them and to ensure we could present the best possible evidence to the court, but also to make sure that their welfare was the primary consideration.”

Two further defendants pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to the following:

Joanne Hoye, aged 42 of no fixed address – neglect.

Elaine Potts, aged 50 of Milverton Road –neglect.

A date is yet to be set for sentencing.

Two 17-year-old boys also on trial were found not guilty.

A 52-year-old woman on trial for aiding and abetting sexual offences resulted in a hung jury.

This will be referred back to the Crown Prosecution Service for a decision on whether she will be re-tried.

Police officers fill city road as neighbours react to child sex abuse family



This was the scene in Wood End last night after news broke of a family's horrific crimes against children.

A large number of police officers, including the dog unit, were in Milverton Road for at least two hours as the community reacted with outrage and horror.

Police were called to Milverton Road at around 9.30pm last night and a large number of officers and vehicles were in the area until at least 11.30pm.

One resident told CoventryLive: "We saw the story on the (CoventryLive) website and we know the local police officer, so we showed it to them and they said would find out more."

About 20 minutes later a number of neighbours came out in to the street and they were soon joined by police officers and the West Midlands Police dog unit.

No arrests were made, although the resident tells us a door to a property was damaged.

They added there had been "rumours" about people committing offences in the area and somebody had once sprayed the word ‘paedophile’ on a house in the road.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "Police were called to reports of a disorder at Milverton Road, Coventry, at around 9.30pm yesterday evening (May 23).

"Officers attended, but the disorder had dispersed, no complaints were made and no-one was injured. No arrests were made."

Coventry family jailed over three decades of "horrific" child sex abuse and cruelty

A serial rapist has been jailed for life in what a judge described as the worst case he had seen in 50 years.

Antony Potts who was described in court as a "deeply depraved man" will begin his sentence tonight having been convicted of a string of rapes and sexual assaults against children.

He was one of four members of a Coventry family jailed for carrying out a campaign of horrific child abuse spanning three decades.

Among the offences committed by the Potts family over the 30-year period were rape, sexual assault and child cruelty.

They are starting their prison terms today having been sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court.

The judge in the case, Peter Carr, described the offending as the worst of its kind he had seen in 50 years as a barrister and judge.

The 49-year-old, of Milverton Road, Wood End, was today jailed for life by Judge Peter Carr.

He will serve a minimum of over 16 years behind bars before the Parole Board can even consider him for release if they deem it safe to do so.

If he is released, Antony Potts will remain on licence for the rest of his life.

He was joined in the dock by his father Keith Potts, who was found guilty following the trial of two counts of child cruelty, as was Keith’s wife Julie.



Keith and Julie Potts were sentenced to eight years and seven years in prison respectively.

The judge also passed sentence on Antony’s wife, Elaine Potts, and family friend Joanne Hoye, who had both pleaded guilty to neglect last year.

Judge Carr sentenced Elaine Potts, 50, of Milverton Road, and 42-year-old Hoye to four years custody each.

While jailing Antony Potts, Judge Carr told him: “You are a deeply depraved man who has taken many, many opportunities to abuse children and corrupt them.

“These are horrendous offences.

"In 50 years practice and presiding over cases like this, I cannot think of a worse one.”

The judge also told Keith and Julie Potts that they “knew about” the child abuse over a number of years and “did nothing”.

Also in the dock at Birmingham Crown Court today was Joshua Potts, son of Keith and Julie.

The 26-year-old had admitted multiple counts of rape and sexual assault against children before the trial of his relatives.

The judge made the decision to sentence Joshua Potts, of Burnaby Road, Holbrooks , tomorrow as there were more reports that needed to be read.

Another family member also awaiting his fate is Nathan Potts who will be sentenced for his offences on August 9.

Fifth member of Coventry family jailed for his part in horrific child sex abuse case



Today Joshua Potts, 26, was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment with an extended licence to run for eight years for multiple counts of rape and sexual assault against children.

At the sentencing hearing today, Judge Peter Carr said Joshua Potts had pleaded guilty to 17 sexual offences and had exploited eight children.

Judge Carr said one of the victims said their life had been a nightmare since disclosure.

"Another victim said at first they had trusted Joshua.

"They said 'at first I liked Joshua and trusted him but then he did bad things to me. I want him to go to prison.'"

A psychiatrist’s report on Joshua Potts referred to him exploiting young and vulnerable children.

The report said: “I found evidence for progression to cause more deviant behaviour.

"There is a high risk of re-offending.”

Assessing Pott’s category of dangerousness, Judge Carr said: “For these reasons it is my assessment that Mr Potts does fall into the category of dangerousness.”

He added: “It is whether I consider the seriousness of any individual offence or one or more offences are such to justify a sentence of imprisonment for life.

“In your case, as bad as these offences are, I do not consider a life sentence is justified."

He said that he was nonetheless going to impose a significant sentence.

Judge Carr said he took a number of factors into account, including Potts’ guilty pleas.

He said: “I consider an appropriate term is 24 years, reduced to 16 years because of admissions.”

Judge Carr said the sentence of 16 years would be followed by an extended licence period of eight years.

Judge Carr concluded by saying: “You will serve a period of ten years and eight months before the parole board will consider whether it is safe to release you.”

Speaking after Joshua Potts’ sentencing, Det Sgt Rachel Gregory from West Midlands Police, said: “We are very pleased with the sentences.

“They are very significant sentences that truly reflect the very serious nature of these crimes committed.”

She added: “This is good news for the survivors particularly, as it offers them some closure and they can start the long process of trying to recover from their ordeals.

“But it is also good news for the people of Coventry, as it means this cycle of abuse will no longer be allowed to continue and these people, having received the strong sentences they have, will be unable to perpetrate any more crimes against children in our community."

Coventry family's three decades of child abuse leads to serious case review

The horrific actions of the Potts family - who were convicted of offences including rape, sexual assault and child cruelty - also led to a serious case review being set up to see if any "lessons can be learned" from how authorities dealt with those involved.

The case review will have to look back to 1989 when the very first victim of Antony Potts came forward to police - although the case then never reached trial.

It was not until further disclosures by children in 2015 and 2016 that the investigation finally led to Antony Potts and five other family members being brought to the courts and convicted for their heinous crimes.

The serious case review is being carried out by the Coventry Safeguarding Children Board and its conclusions will be given later this year.

In a statement, David Peplow, chairman of the Coventry Safeguarding Children Board, said: "In complex cases like this where children have been harmed it can be helpful to review the way in which different organisations have worked together.

"Therefore, a Serious Case Review was commissioned and is due to report later in the year.

"It seeks to understand how a number of agencies worked together to protect the children from harm and whether any lessons can be learned. It is being independently authored and chaired."

Yet another city council whitewash/cover-up

Nathan Potts was today jailed for his part in a horrific campaign of abuse by the Potts family that lasted for three decades



A monster who raped and sexually assaulted children in Coventry has now begun a 20-year prison sentence.

Nathan Potts was today jailed for his part in a horrific campaign of abuse by the Potts family that lasted for three decades.

They abused a number of children over a 30-year period and Nathan Potts was the last of six family members to be sentenced.

His punishment takes the family's total time in prison to over 70 years.

Judge Peter Carr said that of Potts' four victims, one had described their life as “a nightmare” and another is “still deeply traumatised”.

“He speaks of the hate he has for you,” Judge Carr said of one victim. “He talks about being scared of you and you being dangerous for hurting children.”

The judge declared that he considers Potts to be dangerous and there could be “further significant impact on members of the public” from Potts.

He stated: “I have no hesitation in saying significant risk exists.”

Despite his decision on the danger Potts poses, Judge Carr decided against imposing a life sentence and instead passing an extended sentence.

This is made up of 20 years in prison, with a further eight years on licence on top of that.

Potts will serve at least two-thirds of 20-year sentence behind bars - 13 years and four months - before he is even considered for release and then only when the Parole Board consider is safe to do so.

If Potts is released before the end of the 20-year term he will serve the rest of that time on licence and then a further eight years due to the extended sentence.