Man, 40, posed as a photographer to target women

A MAN posed as a professional photographer to rape one woman and sexually assault even more. Anthony Williams, 40, targeted women by posing as a professional photographer and asked them to take part in photoshoots.

- Abigail NICHOLSON

During his trial, the court heard how Williams would message women on Instagram using a photography business account he had set up and offered his services. In November 2021 one of the women reported to police what Williams had done to her.

A second woman then came forward and made a report to police. An investigation was launched by Gloucestershire Police's Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team and several other victims were identified.

Officers arrested Williams and he was interviewed in relation to the two victims. He provided a statement to say he had consensually digitally penetrated one of the victims, and denied sexually assaulting the second woman.

A search of his home studio in Loebleys Drive, Brockworth, took place, and paperwork was seized which detailed photoshoot contracts with several other women. Efforts were made by the investigating officer to contact all of them, and as a result seven other victims were identified, one of whom Williams had raped in July 2021.

He was subsequently charged with 17 counts relating to nine women. These included one count of rape, two counts of assault by penetration and 14 other sexual offences relating to touching without consent.