A twisted rapist posed as a photographer before sexually assaulting women from across the UK. Anthony Williams, 40, has been jailed for 12 years after being found guilty of one count of rape, two counts of assault by penetration and 14 other sexual offences relating to touching without consent.

He posed as a professional photographer and asked his victims to take part in shoots. An investigation was launched after one of his victims reported Williams, from Gloucestershire, to police. This helped officers to identify several other victims before Williams was charged with 17 sexual offences relating to nine women.

Williams, of Lobleys Drive, Brockworth, was found guilty by a jury following a four-week trial at Gloucester Crown Court. He was originally sentenced to eight years in prison but this was increased to 12 years following an appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentencing scheme.

The jury heard how the 40-year-old messaged his victims using a fake photography account on Instagram. He offered them his services before arranging a photoshoot.

In one of the shoots, Williams put his hand around a woman's throat, sexually assaulted her and then raped her. He was also seen to have an erection during other photoshoots and would make inappropriate sexual comments. The court also heard how he would adjust women's clothing without consent, sexually assaulting them in the process.

Williams was first reported by a victim in November 2021. A second victim then came forward before he was arrested and interviewed by detectives.

He claimed to have consensually penetrated one of the women and denied sexually assaulting the other. Police then searched his home studio where they found paperwork which detailed photoshoot contracts with several other victims.

Officers were able use the information to identify seven other women, one of whom Williams had raped in July 2021. They live across the UK and all agreed to take part in police interviews.

Williams claimed in court that if he had touched anyone when adjusting clothing, that it was not intentional. He also claimed some of the other offences were consensual.

He was found guilty on October 11, 2024, for the crimes that were committed over a six month period in 2021. As well as his jail sentence, Williams was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

Investigating Officer Detective Constable Simone Bowley said: "Williams targeted these women online, sexually assaulted them, and then by failing to admit what he had done to them caused them all to endure a lengthy trial. The women who came forward and worked with us throughout this prolonged and difficult process have not just been incredibly brave but also patient. I wish to personally commend them and thank them for their courage.

"If someone has sexually assaulted you, we do not underestimate how difficult it is to come forward and report something, but please know that we have a dedicated team who investigate crimes like this and who are determined to put sexual offenders such as Williams behind bars."

After his sentence was increased, the first woman who came forward said: "The damage caused to me by Williams is completely irreparable. My family's life was torn apart. I walked into his studio the happiest, most confident I'd been for years. My life was awesome and he was meant to help complete my goal of becoming a model.

"Instead he shattered my confidence, caused Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and made me feel as if my life was over. Not to mention he dragged us all through the gruelling justice system and to be cross-examined.

"I am proud I came forward and reported him and I never gave up. Trust me I wanted to. I'm proud that he will remain in prison as my daughter enters adulthood and I've kept other women safe. To the other women in this case - I couldn't have done it without you and I'm thankful you stood with me."

Another victim said: "I have struggled to pick myself back up and feel unsafe and worried when I am in the presence of males that I don't know. I have come to rely on family members to protect me and be there when I leave the house for fear of being approached or harmed again. This has impacted my ability to live a normal life and to be able to trust people who mean me no harm.

"I resent the fact that he knew what he did to me and yet he put me through the court process and tried to make me look like a liar. I want him to know that he changed my life. He changed the way I trust and he changed normality for me.

"I hope that I get justice. I also hope that by me standing up to what he did will mean that he can no longer be a danger to other women. I could say that I want him locked away for a long time but I what I really want is for him to receive the right punishment and to know how his behaviour has had such a devastating impact on my life."