Latest Offenders Ceredigion

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A man crept into a woman's house in the dead of night and sexually assaulted her as she slept in her bed next to her boyfriend, a court has heard. Suroj Bk at first denied being in the property at all but later claimed the allegation was some kind of fantasy on the part of the victim.

Sending the 27-year-old defendant to prison, a judge said he was aware there were people who knew Bk and who did not believe the incident had taken place - he said those people were "either totally blinkered or incredibly gullible". The victim of the sexual assault has life-long legal anonymity.

Swansea Crown Court heard the sexual assault took place at a property in Ceredigion last year when the defendant entered the woman's property at night, climbed into her bed, and touched her legs and genitals as she slept next to her boyfriend. In a statement read to the court by prosecution barrister Georgia Donohue, the victim said the sexual assault had "damaged her life in every conceivable way". She said she had been unable to return to work after the incident and left the area where it happened, and now experiences "graphic nightmares" about the assault. The woman said her parents had been left "heartbroken" about what happened to their daughter.

Suroj Bk, of Llangrannog, Ceredigion, had previously been convicted at trial of trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence and of sexual assault when he returned to the dock for sentencing. He has no previous convictions. Dyfed Thomas, for Bk, said references before the court spoke of the good work the defendant had done in Nepal and India and during his time in Wales, and attested to his "exemplary character". He said Bk was married with two young children and "did something stupid when in drink which he simply would not have done otherwise", describing the conviction as a "spectacular fall from grace" for his client. The barrister said he had been told that a custodial sentence of four years would be "fatal" to the defendant's application to remain in the UK.

Judge Paul Thomas KC said on the evidence heard at trial it was clear that on the night in question the defendant had far too much to drink and entered the complainant's home with the intent to sexually assault her. He said Bk had then denied the offence claiming the victim had "in some way been fantasising about what happened", calling the defence the defendant put before the jury as "one of the most implausible I have heard in some time". The judge said the sexual assault had had a profound effect on the victim which could not be overestimated, and he said it was "of great concern" to him that her position has been made much worse by people in the local area who believed she had been making up the allegations - he said those people were "either totally blinkered or incredible gullible".

Judge Thomas said he had read letters and references submitted to the court on behalf of the defendant - including one from the guru at Skanda Vale temple - and accepted Bk was well thought of, though he added those people had likely only seen Bk's "positive, sober side". The defendant was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison, and will serve up to half that period in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. The defendant will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life, and was made the subject of a restraining order banning him from trying to contact his victim or posting anything about her on social media. The judge said whether Bk was allowed to remain in the UK after serving his sentence was a matter for others and not for the court.

Speaking after the sentencing Dyfed-Powys Police detective inspector Sam Gregory, the officer in charge of the case, praised the courage of the victim in coming forward. She said: "Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of the suspect was done quickly and efficiently. The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution. I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously. We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice."

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A paedophile had images of children as young as one being sexually abused on his computer before, during, and after he was sentenced for identical offences last summer.

Andrew McGown was sentenced to 10 months, suspended for 18 months, last June after being found with more than 11,000 images and videos of child sex abuse and bestiality on his computer, phone, and printed out and sorted in to folders.

Prosecutor Sian Cutter told the court that police found evidence of adult pornography and more than 1,000 indecent images of children on McGown’s desktop computer during a routine visit on October 3. He denied that he had looked at either of these.

All of the indecent images on the computer were inaccessible, although there was evidence the files were created in April – on the day after he bought the computer – and some had been accessed and modified while awaiting sentence and after he was sentenced for his previous offences.

The court heard that one of the images involved a child as young as one being sexually abused by an adult male.

Ms Cutter said there was evidence on the computer of extreme pornography, although this was inaccessible and no charges were proceeded with on this.

A USB shortcut was also found with more than 1,000 more indecent images of children on it.

McGown said he didn’t know how these images got on his computer – and suggested it may have been when he was trying to instal Microsoft Office on the device and had inserted what he thought was a blank disc which could have contained the images.

“He couldn’t explain how they were linked to a USB rather than the disc,” Ms Cutter said.

McGown, 62, of Tan Y Bryn, near Llandysul, pleaded guilty to having 117 Category A indecent images, 72 Category B images, and 1,884 Category C images. He also admitted breaching a suspended sentence order.

Hannah George, defending, said: “The strongest mitigation in his case is his guilty plea.

“I accept on his behalf, as does he, that he still accessed some of those images after he was sentenced.

“Since the defendant has been remanded in custody, it has been somewhat of a reckoning for him. He has not enjoyed it. He has found it very difficult.”

Addressing McGown’s continued offending, the judge, Recorder C. Rees KC, said: “It’s a pretty determined pattern of behaviour despite the opportunities the court gave you,

“The sentences of the court will only go up if you commit these offences again.”

She sentenced McGown to 12 months for the Category A offence, with concurrent sentences of eight months and three months for the Category B and C offences. He must also serve an additional six months for breaching his suspended sentence.

The defendant will continue to be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and must continue to register as a sex offender. 

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A Ceredigion sex offender has admitted a slew of breaches of a sexual harm prevention order and still faces a charge of making indecent images of children.

Ifan Evans, of Brynawel, Cross Inn, Llanon, appeared before Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 10 January.

The 36-year-old is accused of making two category C indecent images of a child in Ceredigion between 25 December 2021 and 27 May 2022.

No plea was entered on that charge at the hearing.

Evans did admit seven breaches of a sexual harm prevention order imposed on him for previous making and possessing indecent images offences by Swansea Crown Court on 30 May 2018.

He indicated a plea of guilty to breaching the order by creating and accessing a Telegram account between 23 November 2021 and 20 May 2022; creating and accessing an Instagram account between 5 June 2021 and 17 April 2022; creating a Discord account on 3 May 2022; using the Facebook Messenger app between 11 September 2021 and 30 April 2022; and using the Instagram and Messenger app between 13 September 2022 and 7 February 2023.

Evans also admitted a charge of failing to make his mobile phone available for inspection on 8 February 2023.

A charge of breaching the sexual harm prevention order by using an alias online between 11 September 2021 and 30 April 2022 was withdrawn and replaced by a charge of failing to comply with notifications requirement of the sex offender’s register for the same offence.

Evans indicated a plea of guilty to that offence.

Evans is next due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on 9 February for a trial and preparation hearing on the indecent images charge.

He will be sentenced on the other eight charges following any trial.

Evans was remanded on unconditional bail until that date.

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A serial rapist who attacked three different women over a two-year period has been handed a 27-year extended sentence. After raping the women Saul Henvey tried to "manipulate" them into not reporting the incidents – even telling one woman he attacked in woods that "it's not rape but love".

Homeless Henvey was caught after going on the run and a large-scale manhunt which saw police warning drivers not to pick up hitchhikers at the roadside. Following his arrest for the woodland rape another victim came forward to report he had also attacked her, and detectives then looked again at a previous allegation of rape made against him which involved similar kinds of behaviour.

Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard that in May 2021 Henvey met a woman in Lampeter town centre and after talking for a while the pair agreed to go for a picnic. A spot in nearby woodland was chosen, and there were initially no issues. However Henvey's behaviour suddenly changed and he violently attacked the woman, ripping her clothes off, threatening her, putting his hands around her throat, and raping her. The court heard he kept telling the woman: "It is not rape but love."

The assault was reported to police and officers were soon on the scene. Henvey was spotted but made off and he went on the run. The incident sparked a major overnight police search operation and drivers in the area were warned not to pick up hitchhikers. The defendant was located the following day.

Following the publicity around the woodland attack in Lampeter a further victim came forward to report the defendant had twice raped her in her own home while she slept. These offences had happened just two weeks earlier. Detectives then looked again at a previous rape allegation made against Henvey in January 2020. This offence had again occurred in the victim's home after he had stated talking to woman while she was working in her garden and then gone inside for a drink. The court heard both earlier incidents had seen the defendant "manipulating" the women into not reporting what he had done.

Nicola Powell, for the prosecution, characterised the defendant's offending as a "campaign of rape". The court heard details of statements from the three women the defendant raped in which they set out the impact the attacks have had on them leaving them feeling vulnerable, anxious and frightened. One woman said she now does not trust any man.

Saul Rowan Henvey, aged 47, from Tregaron, Ceredigion, had previously been convicted at trial of four counts of rape when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has previous convictions for offences including shoplifting, public disorder matters, possession of drugs, and dishonesty matters but none for sexual offences.

Lewis Perry, for Henvey, said the defendant had been "living off the grid for many, many years", and that it was clear from reports before the court that he been experiencing mental health difficulties for some time. He said his client "clearly needs ongoing treatment with specialist help".

Judge Catherine Richards said it was clear what Henvey did has had a "devastating" impact on the women involved. She said she had carefully read three psychiatric reports on the defendant and was not satisfied that his offending was wholly attributable to his mental health conditions. The judge said she did not consider a hospital order a suitable disposal.

Henvey was made the subject of 27-year extended sentence with a hospital and limitation direction. The sentence comprises 21 years in custody followed by a six-year extended licence. The sentence will initially be served in a secure hospital where he will be kept for as long as necessary for treatment. If his detention in hospital is considered no longer necessary he will be transferred to prison to serve the remainder of the custodial element of the sentence. He must serve two-thirds of the custodial element of the sentence before he can apply for release but it will be for the Parole Board to determine if he is safe to be released. Henvey will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.

Speaking after the sentencing Dyfed-Powys Police detective inspector Adam Cann said: "The sentence handed to Henvey today is welcomed and we hope it will give some comfort to his victims and allows them to move on with their lives. As officers we have witnessed the devastating effect Henvey’s heinous violent actions had on his victims. Despite this they have shown incredible strength, bravery, and determination to see the investigation through and help us make sure he is locked up where he can’t do the same to other women.

"I hope this reassures people that Dyfed-Powys Police will not tolerate such terrible crimes and gives anyone who has been attacked like this the confidence to come forward. We will listen to you and we will work tirelessly to get justice."

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Sex offender Kevin Eardley, who also goes by the name Kevin Jones, told police he had 'forgotten' about the requirement to notify the authorities if he was going to stay in a house where a child lived

A paedophile repeatedly failed to notify police that he was staying overnight in the homes of families with children, a court has heard. As a registered sex offender Kevin Eardley who has been going by the name Kevin Jones since his release from prison was required to tell the authorities if he was going to be spending more than 12 hours at an address where youngsters lived.

But on three separate occasions he went to stay with people who he knew had children without telling the police about his activities meaning the authorities were not able to inform the families involved. When police tracked the 55-year-old down to the tent where he was living the defendant said he had "forgotten" about the requirement to notify them.

The defendant refused to leave his cell for his sentencing hearing at Swansea Crown Court but sending him to prison a judge described his actions as a "disturbing example of deliberate and repeated non-compliance" with the sex offender notification regime and he said he though Eardley had been "playing cat and mouse with the authorities".

The court heard that Eardley was jailed at Caernarfon Crown Court in 2012 after being convicted of 13 sexual offences involving young girls. He was also put on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life. As part of the registration requirements he not only has to tell police where he is living but also of any stays at address where children live.

Megan Jones, prosecuting, said the first breach happened in December 2020 when Eardley, who was living in Holyhead under the name Kevin Jones at the time, went to stay with a friend he had made through their shared interest in fishing. The fishing pal, who knew nothing about the defendant's past, had three young children. It was only later that the friend found out about the defendant's conviction after visiting his house one day and seeing a letter addressed to a Kevin Eardley. When he searched the internet he discovered the truth. After his true identity was revealed Eardley left Anglesey and settled in Aberystwyth.

The court heard that the second breach happened November 2021 when Eardley again went to the home of somebody with a child without notifying the police on this occasion travelling all the way to Northamptonshire and turning up uninvited at the door of a woman he had met on Instagram. He stayed for two nights with the woman and her four-year-old daughter before being asked to leave.

The third breach happened just weeks later when the 55-year-old went to stay with a woman he had met through an online fishing community. The court heard the person he stayed with had a hobby of printing pictures items such as cups and he asked her to put a photo of what he claimed was his child on a mug and a clock in fact it was a photograph of the daughter of the woman he had recently stayed with in Northamptonshire.

The police were alerted to his behaviour and went looking for him. They found him living in a tent in Aberystwyth. When questioned he said he had forgotten "forgotten" about the requirement to notify the police if he was going to stay in a house where a person under 18 lived. Read about how a Welsh paedophile who went on the run to the Costa del Sol was tracked down to a Spanish prison and been given an extended sentence as a dangerous sex offender after being extradited back to the UK.

Kevin Eardley, also known as Kevin Jones, of Bow Street near Aberystwyth, had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to comply with notification requirements when the case came to be sentenced. The defendant declined to appear in the dock and instead chose to stay in his cell in the court building.

Dean Pulling, for Eardley, said the defendant had been released from custody in 2016 and had properly registered his address with the police and that the offences before the court represented his first non-compliance. He said the non-compliance had not been in the defendant not telling the people he was staying with about his conviction but in his not telling the police about his visits though the barrister said it was accepted that had Eardley told the police they may have notified the people he was staying with. Mr Pulling said his client maintained that the photo he asked to be printed on the mug had been given to him by the Northamptonshire girl's mother a claim the woman denies and the mug had been intended as a gift which he was going to give back to the mum.

Judge Geraint Walters described Eardley's behaviour as a "disturbing example of deliberate and repeated non-compliance" with the requirements of sexual notification regime and he said he though the defendant had been "playing cat and mouse with the authorities". With a one-third discount for his guilty pleas Eardley was sentenced to two years in prison. He will serve up to half that period in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.

The judge said the lack of the imposition of a sexual harm prevention order or its predecessor a sexual offences prevention order had been a "sentencing oversight" by the north Wales court in 2012 and, though he did not have the power to impose such an order, he asked the prosecutor to raise with the police the possibility of them seeking an order through the civil courts which would have a similar scope and effect.