The face of a dangerous rapist as a catalog of horrific crimes exposed

A vile rapist who abused several survivors in Staffordshire has been jailed for 14 years after his crimes were revealed. Sex offender Michael Lee Price was brought to justice after several survivors, both male and female, bravely came forward to explain what happened to them.

Despite his own accounts, the 22-year-old from Burton-on-Trent has repeatedly denied the offences. In July 2022, one of the survivors bravely came forward and told an adult what happened to her.

She told them Price raped and sexually assaulted her. More survivors then came forward and gave their own accounts as the Staffordshire Police investigation continued.

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Price was arrested, questioned in custody and charged with a number of sexual offences, including rape, sexual assault and causing a child to observe sexual activity. He continued to deny the crimes until a jury at Stafford Crown Court found him guilty in April this year.

Today, June 14, he was sentenced to 14 years behind bars with an extended license period of three years at Shrewsbury Crown Court. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

The ten offenses for which he was convicted include:

• Two counts of rape on a girl
• Three counts of sexual assault on a girl
• An allegation of sexually assaulting a boy
• A reason to cause a child to engage in sexual activity
• One count of soliciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• One count of possession of extreme pornographic images
• A reason for photographing an incident with a child

Price also pleaded guilty to criminal damage, Staffordshire Police said. Detective Constable Bethan Otter, who works in the workforce’s child protection team, said the bravery of the survivors had ensured a “dangerous sex offender” was locked up for “a long time”.

She said: “I am delighted that the jury was able to see all the evidence we worked so hard to gather and the effect Price’s crimes had on survivors, despite his persistent denial.

“Results like this are why officers are so passionate about talking to survivors and encouraging them to come forward. It takes tremendous courage and bravery to tell people about these types of crimes, but with the right support, we can take strong action against those responsible and bring justice to those affected.

“I would like to acknowledge the survivors of this case for all their help in ensuring that a dangerous sex offender spends a lot of time behind bars.” Police have urged survivors of sex offenses to get in touch with the force’s specially trained officers by calling 101 or messaging them via Live Chat on the website. To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.