A National Lottery winner who pocketed £275,000 from a £2.2million syndicate win has been jailed for four years after being unmasked as a paedophile.
Anthony Dugard, 60, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, was one of eight syndicate members who struck lucky in 2009 whilst facing redundancy from his job at a steel firm.
The lottery winner has now been convicted of nine child sex offences following a police sting operation.
Dugard was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to multiple child sexual abuse charges, which included the exploitation of a 15-year-old victim.
Anthony Dugard has been jailed for four years after being unmasked as a paedophile
Wiltshire Police
He travelled to Swindon in July believing he was meeting a child with the intention of abuse, but was instead confronted by officers from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit.
Upon examining his mobile phone, police discovered evidence of further offences against a real child victim.
The 15-year-old victim later provided evidence showing Dugard had coerced and exploited her over several months.
The investigation was part of a wider operation by the Online Investigations Team at SWROCU to tackle child sexual abuse and exploitation.
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Dugard was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Friday
PA
Dugard subsequently pleaded guilty to five additional child sexual abuse offences following his arrest.
Prior to his conviction, Dugard had been actively involved in community safety roles across Grimsby.
He worked as a fire risk assessor, spending considerable time with emergency services personnel.
Dugard later volunteered with the Blue Light Brigade charity in Grimsby, conducting home safety checks to support police and emergency services.
He also held the position of chairman of Park Drive Neighbourhood Watch, collaborating with local councillors on anti-social behaviour initiatives.
These community roles stood in stark contrast to his later conviction, with his position of trust making the offences particularly concerning.
Dugard was one of eight syndicate members who struck lucky in 2009
GETTY
In a powerful victim impact statement, the mother of the victim said: “It makes me so sad that [she] has been through this and I’m so sorry that I couldn’t protect her.”
She added: “I am so proud of her and the fact that she has taken the big step of voicing her truths.”
DI David Wells from SWROCU said: “Dugard has caused substantial suffering to the victim and her family and I thank her for speaking up about his predatory behaviour.”
Along with his four-year prison sentence, Dugard will be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
He will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years.
Judge JN Townsend praised the victim’s courage in “bringing Mr Dugard to justice.”
