A Southampton Paedophile “predator”, Antonio Agard, who solicited adolescent girls from the street for sexual purposes and transmitted sexually transmitted infections has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
A court examined the case of Antonio Agard, 54, who preyed upon teenage girls in Southampton by offering them presents and money while misrepresenting his age.
He admitted guilt to two charges of engaging in sexual behaviour with victims who were 14 or 15 years old at the time of the acts.
The judge stated that Antonio Agard “indoctrinated” the females to satisfy his sexual appetites.
‘Engaging in doll play’
The Southampton Crown Court was informed Antonio Agard, residing on James Street, was already listed on the sex offenders register when he encountered his first victim in 2002 or 2003.
The court was informed that Antonio Agard approached her in a BMW as she was walking on the street.
The couple maintained a connection for two to three years, during which the girl developed gonorrhoea from him.
In her victim impact statement, she indicated that she is now separated from her family due to the relationship and has been diagnosed with depression.
The second child was befriended in 2006 and was “repeatedly infected” with chlamydia, according to court testimony.
Her statement indicated that she had been “playing with dolls” about a month before to encountering Antonio Agard, and expressed that he had “deprived her of her childhood”.
The court was informed that Antonio Agard had three prior convictions for engaging in sexual acts with minors and one conviction for indecent assault on a child.
Judge Gary Burrell QC stated: “Your actions were utterly reprehensible.” You functioned as a street predator targeting young females.
“You exploited both girls for sexual gratification: exerting control, manipulation, and effectively indoctrinating them to acquiesce to your sexual inclinations.”
He handed successive six-year prison sentences for each charge, together with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
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