A 70-year-old church warden accused of sexually abusing young boys who came to work on his farm has appeared in court. Michael Allfrey, a member of Storridge parish council, denied sexually touching six boys, aged nine to 14, between 2005 and summer 2011. At Hereford Crown Court today the married father was accused of touching the boys as they rode on his quad bike and tractor at his farm in Storridge. He was also accused of encouraging three of the boys to engage in sexual activity.
In total, Allfrey was charged with 11 counts of sexual assault and four counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. He pleaded not guilty to all offences.
The boys were being paid to work on the farm, collecting eggs, feeding cows and sheep, etc.
On the first day of what was estimated to be three-week trial, Judge Toby Hooper QC heard how Allfrey, of Wildgoose Hill, Hereford Road, Storridge, allegedly told one boy he would "spank" him if he made mistakes while working.
When police asked whether he thought it appropriate to spank a 13-year-old boy, Allfrey replied, "Yes, it concentrates the mind."
In his opening speech Jonas Hankin, prosecuting, told the jury they would hear many positive things about Allfrey as a respected member of the local community. "He is a church warden," said Mr Hankin. "He is a parish councillor. You will hear a substantial amount of evidence from the defendant and other's called for him that shows Michael Allfrey in a very positive light. The positive elements in his character, which undoubtedly exist, do not mean he is incapable of committing offences like these. It is how Michael Allfrey behaved in the company of these young people, not how he behaved in other aspects of his life that we are concerned with. What reason have these young people have to come forward and lie about a man, if his account is truthful, has only ever shown them kindness."
The court heard that Mr Allfrey’s defence, lead by Michael Birnbaum QC, will be that the boys had "put their heads together" and colluded.
Michael Allfreys, a disgraced former church warden and parish councillor who was jailed for a string of sex offences against young boys yesterday failed in a Court of Appeal bid for freedom.
Now 71, of Hereford Road, Storridge, near Malvern, was jailed for four-and-a-half years last February after he was convicted of the sickening abuse of six youngsters.
This week, lawyers for the former Storridge Parish councillor argued that he has served enough punishment and that he should now be allowed to go home,but three senior judges rejected the argument that the sentence, handed down at Worcester Crown Court, was too long.
"Four-and-a-half years was a heavy penalty for a 70-year-old with a substantial previous reputation, who had given much to society, but it was not manifestly excessive." said Mr Justice Burton.
The Court of Appeal heard that Allfrey had appeared to be a "pillar of the community", but lived a secret double life and was described by the sentencing judge as a "menacing predator".
Six boys told of abuse, which included him touching their private parts underneath or over their clothing and trying to get them to get involved in sexual activity. The abuse came to light when one boy complained to a teacher and Allfrey was arrested. He denied all of the allegations - 11 sexual assaults and four counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity - but was found guilty.
His barrister, Michael Birnbaum QC, told the appeal judges that Allfrey was taking his punishment and had decided to sit it out in his cell. Serving his time in an open prison, he has been allowed to work in the garden, but has had disagreements with his tutor when he thinks he knows more than him, he said.
The QC also questioned the crown court judge's statement that Allfrey was a "menacing predator", arguing that the offending was sporadic. And he said insufficient account had been taking of a series of vigilante attacks on Allfrey's property, which have caused him financial loss and his family substantial distress.
"This is simply too long and the court can do its duty to this case and the public by quite a substantial reduction for a man who was in his early 70s and who had given a great deal of public service and still has a lot to offer the public when he is released." said the barrister. "There is no public interest to be served in his continued imprisonment." he added.
Giving judgment, Mr Justice Burton, who heard the appeal with Lady Justice Macur and Judge Richard Griffith-Jones, said there was nothing wrong with the sentence.