Exclusive:Predatory Waterlooville paedophile found guilty of raping child after trial
He was on trial after denying the offences
A predatory paedophile was found guilty of raping a child after a trial.
Michael Albery, 35, of Rodney Way, Waterlooville, is facing jail after he was found guilty of rape of child under 13 and two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. He has been remanded in custody and awaits sentencing on October 30.
Gary Venturi, prosecuting, had told the trial that multiple witnesses reported sexual abuse to police, some of whom were children. Reports were made in February this year, with Albery being arrested soon after.
In police interviews, Albery gave prepared statements to officers before refusing to answer any of their questions.
One witness referenced a specific incident in 2023, telling police of how Albery “forced himself” on her, and how he “didn’t care” that she did not consent.
Philip Allman, representing Albery, told the trial that some witness accounts might not be credible, saying that “lies and untruths are a feature of this case” and telling the jury to look at each witness account individually.
“People lie, and once that can of worms is opened it can be very difficult to put it back in he box,” he added.
Judge Gemma White had told jurors before they retired to consider their verdicts: “Michael Albery was aware of the stigma attached to the allegations made. He said that he was innocent.
“He has said none of the allegations are true, and has denied them all. You have been given a summary of the evidence you have heard. You must reach a unanimous verdict.”
Albery had pleaded not guilty to one count of rape, two counts of raping a child, three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of assaulting a child by touching, one count of attempted rape, and one count of causing a child to look at an image of sexual activity. He was found not guilty of the remaining charges to the ones he was found guilty of.
He had been charged with an additional count of intentional strangulation, but was found not guilty to this after the prosecution offered no evidence.