Latest Offenders Cardiff

Description

A member of staff at a primary school was found in possession of indecent images of children including the most serious category. The man was said to have been "immediately removed from the school" after the offences came to light.

Steven Jones, 51, an employee of Ynyshir Primary School in Porth, pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of indecent images of children. These included 109 category A images, 150 category B images and 75 category C images. It's not suggested any pupils from the school were depicted in the images.

The defendant, of The Philog, Whitchurch, Cardiff, was arrested on September 26 last year and later admitted the offences. He was sentenced at Newport Crown Court on Wednesday to 12 months imprisonment and was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sex offender notification requirements for 10 years.

Following the hearing, parents at Ynyshir Primary School were written to by headteacher Paula Phillips, who said: "It is with great regret that I wish to inform you that a member of teaching staff from our school has pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing indecent images of children. Sentencing took place today at Newport Crown Court.

"Now that the criminal process has concluded, the school and its governing body, in partnership with key council services, will undertake internal disciplinary processes to consider suitability for employment and any necessary referrals to the relevant professional bodies, as deemed appropriate."

In a statement, a spokesman for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council on behalf of the school, said: "This incident has shocked and appalled our school and wider community. Whilst we are advised that these images did not include children from our school, these crimes have undoubtedly impacted on many, and we hope that the sentence imposed will help those affected. As soon as professionals were made aware of these serious allegations and police intervention, the staff member was immediately removed from the school.

“We would like to thank South Wales Police for their work in helping to keep our children and communities safe. As a school we will continue to work with our partners and families to ensure that our learners remain safe and protected, which is our absolute priority.”

Description

A man tried to drag a woman into a bush during a terrifying ordeal in a park. The woman was grabbed by Dale Edey who was pretending to look for a lost dog.

The 38-year-old targeted the woman as she walked through Bute Park in Cardiff at around 6.30am on August 31 last year. A court heard Edey wrapped his arms around her and forcibly kissed her, before attempting to drag her towards an isolated area of the park.

A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Tuesday, July 11, heard the victim had gone through a morning stroll and spoken to her mother on the phone. As she reached an area of the park with outside gym equipment, she noticed him, WalesOnline reports.

Prosecutor Roger Griffiths said Edey asked her if she had seen a dog, the victim said she had not but would keep an eye out. Mr Griffiths added: "He approached her and grabbed her, wrapping his arms around her and began kissing her neck. She struggled against him and began screaming."

The victim went to the floor and Edey pinned her to the ground before attempting to drag her to a hedge and bushes nearby. As he did so, the victim banged her head on gym equipment.

She continued screaming as the defendant grabbed at her clothes and jogging bottoms and tried to pull them down. Mr Griffiths said: "[The victim] in her words, screamed her lungs off for help and he responded 'shut up or I'll kill you'.

"Screaming turned to pleading, she didn't give up struggling and eventually the defendant got up and left her." The victim made her way to the Blackweir entrance of the park when a man stopped to help her and the police were called.

The park was closed for investigations to be carried out and the victim's clothes were analysed for forensic evidence. DNA evidence was found on the waist band of her jogging bottoms which matched with Edey's DNA profile.

Edey, of Pennsylvania Avenue, Pentwyn, was arrested on September 19 but denied the offences and answered no comment to questions put to him. He later pleaded guilty to sexual assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and committing an offence with the intention of committing a relevant sexual offence.

The court heard he had 31 previous convictions, including assault by beating. In a victim personal statement read to the court, the victim said: "Since this incident I have suffered from anxiety which affects me and my ability to function on a day to day basis.

"Shortly after the attack I would break down and cry anywhere or any time. I was extremely distressed after going to the incident. It affects my sleep and I often dream about what happened and even now to this day I have regular nightmares.

"I was initially injured and had bruises and torn muscles which made it hard to sleep for a while because I was sore. I felt beaten and it takes time to recover from that."

She continued: "The incident happened in the day time so I am generally uneasy during the day, I am uneasy about where I am and who is around me which is especially true when I am on my own.

"I cannot speak to strangers any more, this is really sad as I used to be friendly and happy to help but I will never interact with strangers because I am scared of them."

In mitigation, Heath Edwards said the incident was "isolated" and was the first sexual offence his client had been convicted of. He said the defendant would be able to undergo relevant programmes while in custody, where he has been working as a wing cleaner.

Sentencing, the Recorder of Cardiff Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said Edey had refused to leave his cell and attend the sentencing hearing for the second day in a row, so would be sentenced in his absence. She added: "You caused severe psychological harm and used violence against your victim."

Edey was sentenced to four years and 11 months imprisonment with an extended three years on licence. He will serve two-thirds of the sentence before he is considered for parole. He was also made subject to sex offender notification requirements.

Description

A paedophile who previously sexually abused children and engaged in sexual conversations with a child breached a court order after failing to tell the authorities about a mobile phone. He claimed he had "forgotten" to notify his probation officer about the device.

Malcolm John West, 63, of Cardiff, was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order in August last year after he was convicted of engaging in sexual communications with a child. As part of the order, the defendant was required to keep probation informed of his address and to register any electronic devices.

A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Thursday heard West previously breached court orders by failing to tell the authorities about new addresses. He was convicted of intercourse with a girl under 18, in both 1979 and 1984, and convicted of indecent assault of a girl under 14, in 1993.

Following his release prison in March 14 this year, the defendant was found to have failed in his duty to notify probation about the purchase of a mobile phone. When officers visited his home on March 30, he was asked why he had not registered the phone and he admitted he had "forgotten" to notify them.

West, of Clive Street, Grangetown, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to breach of a SHPO. The court heard he has a total of 63 previous convictions.

Defence barrister Nick Gedge said there was no suggestion there was "anything untoward" on the phone. He said the defendant was preoccupied at the time of the offence due to his partner being in hospital and him being evicted.

Sentencing, the Recorder of Cardiff Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said: "You are a persistent sex offender and have little regard for orders. She sentenced West to a total of eight months imprisonment. The Sexual Harm Prevention Order remains in force.

Description

A pervert who sexually assaulted a girl under the age of 16 was told "Don't be a paedophile" by his victim as he abused her. She later told her attacker "F*** you, I'm a child."

Jami Davies, 34, of Bridgend, was found guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a child following a child at Cardiff Crown Court. He claimed his victim was not telling the truth, but he was disbelieved by a jury who returned guilty verdicts.

The court heard Davies approached his victim as she slept and initially touched her leg and bottom over clothing in a sexual way. He then tried to put his hands into the victim's clothing to touch her vagina but she told him to stop and pulled away.

The defendant called her a "c***" and did it again. He then forced his hand inside her top and touched her breasts. She told Davies "No, don't be a paedophile". He stopped after he saw the victim had her phone and became concerned she was recording him.

Initially, the victim didn't want to tell anyone about the abuse but she later told her mother what had happened and Davies, of Pen-y-Bryn, Bryntirion, was arrested and convicted of the sexual activity offences on April 28. The court heard he had no relevant previous convictions.

In a victim personal statement read out to the court on Friday, the victim described the abuse as "a headf***" and believed she would not be able to make it through the trial, but had done. She added: "Jami, if you're listening to this, f*** you, I am a child. You f****** me up and screwed me up bad."

She said there were days she was unable to attend school. The victim said: "Knowing my abuser has been found guilty and is being sentenced makes me feel happy for other girls he could have hurt or traumatised. I don't feel the relief I should. I feels good but I don't feel better."

In mitigation, Neil Evans said his client had gone through trauma after a number of family bereavements and turned to alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism. He was also involved in an incident when he got out of a moving van, which resulted in him being placed in an induced coma and suffering injuries including a fractured skull. The father-of-four and HGV driver was said to have drunk ten pints of lager on the night of the offences, which was described as "opportunistic".

Judge Lucy Crowther sentenced Davies to a total of 15 months imprisonment. The defendant was also made subject to sex offender notification requirements, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order for 10 years.

Description

A "narcissistic misogynist" indecently assaulted a preschool-aged girl by kissing her with his tongue and told her the abuse was "our secret". The victim said the incident had affected her throughout her life.

Frank Williams, 78, of Abercwmboi, near Aberdare, was described as a "difficult man" by his own barrister after being convicted of indecent assault following a trial. A sentencing judge said there was "0% prospect of rehabilitation" in his case and his pre-sentence report was "full of misogyny and bile".

Addressing a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court Judge Shoman Khan said: "You sexualised a little girl... who thought what you were doing was normal. [The victim's statement] is compelling and the lifelong consequences for her are all too predictable."

The court heard Williams put on music while abusing his victim in the 1990s. He pulled her towards him before kissing her while using his tongue. He told her not to tell anyone and that it was something between them and "our secret". The victim felt "scared" and did not know why he had kissed her but she did what he told her.

In a victim personal statement, she said the abuse had "affected her whole life" and she has received counselling. She said she had suffered nightmares, had no confidence, felt shame, and had mental health issues. As a result of the incident she has struggled to build relationships and has difficulty with trust.

Judge Khan commended the victim's "bravery" in speaking out later in life and said these were words he "could not forget". Addressing the defendant the judge said: "If you had any decency or humility you may have reflected on those words she said in the trial. You may have thought about whether you're the route cause of her difficulty."

In mitigation defence barrister Stephen Thomas acknowledged his client, of Bronallt Terrace, was a "difficult man" with "fixed views on life and society", which he attributed to his generation. He said the defendant was a man of previous good character it was an isolated incident and there had been a period of decades since the offence.

Williams was sentenced to two years imprisonment and will serve half the sentence in custody before he is released. He was made subject to an indefinite restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order and sex offender notification requirements for 10 years.

Description

A pervert who was found in possession of images of a man having sex with a corpse told a 13-year-old boy to send him sexual videos. He was also found to have distributed indecent images.

Paul Meechan, 56, of Cardiff, was arrested by police after he was found to have been speaking to a teenager and incited him to engage in sexual activity. His electronic devices were seized and when examined revealed a number of disgusting images depicting child abuse and necrophilia.

A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Friday heard the defendant possessed an image of a person having sex with a corpse and children as young as seven-months-old being abused. Meechan, of Llanfair Road, Pontcanna, later pleaded guilty to possession of category A, B, and C images, possession of extreme and prohibited images, distribution of category A and B images, sexual communication with a child and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

In mitigation, the court heard the defendant entered guilty pleas at the earliest opportunity and had referred himself to the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, a charity dedicated to preventing child sex abuse. He was using drugs at the time of the offences but had sought to abstain from those substances.

Sentencing, Judge Wayne Beard said: "These images can only produce revulsion in right thinking people... Part of what went on here was your involvement in drugs. you sought to minimise the offences by saying you received no sexual gratification from the images but were interested in them because they were illegal."

Meechan was sentenced to a total of two years and eight months imprisonment. He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sex offender notification requirements for 10 years.

Description

A taxi driver asked to use a customer's toilet in her house before forcing his way into her bedroom and raping her. He later denied the sexual attack but his DNA was found on a carpet.

Jakir Hussain, 39, picked up his victim in Cardiff city centre on November 19 last year and drove her back to her home as a paid fare. At the end of the journey, he got into the back of the taxi and locked the doors until she agreed to let him use the toilet in her home.

Despite her protestations, Hussain then made his way into her bedroom and pushed her over the bed before bending her double and pushing her face into the mattress so she struggled to breathe. He removed some of her clothing raped her without using protection.

A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard the defendant's DNA was discovered that linked him to the scene. Hussain, a married father, was traced by CCTV and arrested but he denied any sexual activity took place. He later changed his story, and claimed everything which had taken place was consensual but he was found guilty of rape following a trial.

Reading out a statement to the court, the victim said she was no longer able to remain in her home, due to it being the scene of the rape and causing flashbacks. She said the trauma of being raped had led her to attempting to take her own life.

She said: "Since this incident I have tried to avoid sleep because I am taken back to the night of the incident. I see (the defendant's) face in my head and can remember what he did to me, including flashbacks to parts of the incident such as being trapped in a taxi....

"Immediately following the incident I could barely walk into my room or look at my bed as it triggered flashbacks. I had to see the cut carpet in my bedroom which further reminded me of events. I could only be in my room with the lights on due to the defendant coming into the room during the incident and turning the lights off, making me fear the darkness....

"Since the incident I have not felt able to get into a taxi, I have a complete distrust of all taxi drivers and even impacts me to the extent if female friends go on a night out I will offer to drive them home in the middle of the night. I no longer consider taxis to be safe. I put my trust in what I thought was a professional to take me safely home that night. This has impacted me in all aspects of my life and I'm more likely to distrust other professionals who may be trying to help me."

In mitigation, Hussain, of Watkiss Way, Grangetown, was said to be of previous good character and had lived in the UK for eight years. He is due to become a father for the third time, and financially support his family in the UK and overseas.

Sentencing, Recorder Eugene Egan said: "(The victim) was entitled, as a bare minimum, to be taken safely to the street where she lived by you and to be treated respectfully by you.... You were in a position of trust towards her, a position of trust you grossly abused...

"You asked her to use the toilet as a ruse to gain access to her house, you gained entry by guile. No taxi driver should ever be asking to use the toilet of a female fare passenger. You just wanted to get into her house."

Hussaun was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment, and will at least two thirds of the sentence before he is released. He was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sex offender notification requirements for life. He was also made subject to a restraining order and barred from working as a taxi driver indefinitely.

Description

A former shopkeeper has been sent to prison for 12 years after being convicted of child sex offences which happened more than a quarter of a century ago.

Nazir Ahmed, 73, employed a teenaged girl as an assistant at his shop in Ely, Cardiff.

Ahmed has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Showing incredible bravery, over 25 years later, the female contacted South Wales Police to report that she had been subject to repeated sexual abuse.

Ahmed used his position of power as the store manager to prey on a young, vulnerable female for an extended period of time.

Following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court, Ahmed was found guilty of three counts rape of a child, and on the 1 June 2023, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison and a lifetime on the Sexual Offenders Register.

Lead investigator Detective Mike Lewis said “The victim has to be given a massive amount of credit for her courage and bravery in reporting the offences and pursuing the case through the Criminal Justice System, which is an incredibly difficult and emotional process for victims of such offences.

“We are proud to be able to bring a dangerous offender to justice many years after the crime had been committed. This case shows that those targeting the most vulnerable in society cannot get away with their crimes, and justice will always catch up with them.

“I encourage anyone who has been the victim of a similar crime to report it to us, regardless of how much time has passed, as the crime will be fully investigated, and they will get our full support.”

Description

A sexual predator raped a woman at student accommodation while she was unconscious and later messaged her in order to "get closure". The victim chastised him for messaging her out of the blue and told him: "You are a rapist."

Nathan Thorburn, 25, raped the woman in Cardiff in 2019. She woke up during the attack in immense pain and discovered he was forcing himself upon her. He apologised the next day but did not refer to what had happened.

Years later he contacted the victim on Facebook and asked to discuss what had happened in order to "get closure". She responded with a lengthy reply in which she accused him of "massaging his ego" by turning to the woman he raped in order to absolve his guilt. She told him: "You and I both know what you did to me. You are a rapist."

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday heard the victim and Thorburn had both been drinking alcohol and the victim had had a cannabis spliff during a night out. By the end of the night the victim was extremely intoxicated and returned to the accommodation block.

Thorburn offered to put her to bed but at this point the victim was passing in and out of consciousness and at times thought the defendant was her boyfriend. Prosecutor James Wilson said the victim fell asleep but was unaware Thorburn was on top of her.

The barrister said: "Her clearest memory was she was on her front with her face pushed into the pillow and she felt the defendant's penis in her anus. It took her brain a few seconds to realise what was happening and she woke up to feel the defendant's penis going in and out and it hurt. In a mirror she saw herself and the defendant. She was in pain and wanted to scream but could only manage a whimper and told him to stop. She remained confused about what was happening to her and thought she was dreaming."

The victim later told police she was unaware of the full extent of what Thorburn had done to her and did not know if he was wearing a condom. She described herself feeling "defiled, dirty, vile, and disgusting" about what the defendant had done and "felt like a corpse" while it was happening.

The next day Thorburn made a vague apology but did not say what he was sorry for. The victim told her sister about what had happened but had resolved to "take it to her grave".

Thorburn was sent to prison in 2019 for an unrelated matter and was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO). Following his release from prison he contacted the victim in 2022 on Facebook Messenger. He wrote: "Hey. Can we talk? I wanted to talk about the situation about me and you before I went to prison. I think I knew what I did was wrong and I want some sort of closure I guess. I think it's good to talk about these things with that person to be sure about this. Things have been going on in my mind for a long time that I want to put to rest."

Upon receiving the message the victim was angry that Thorburn had contacted her and asked her to absolve him of guilt for raping her. Her response read: "I don't even know where to begin. I can give you closure in one simple sentence. You are a rapist.

"First, you even messaging me is incredibly selfish and self-serving. I reread the message you sent and can count how many times you say 'I'. You want closure because it's playing on your mind? You want to get closure for assaulting me when I was drunk, passed out, and vulnerable and put me to bed. I will never get closure. For me it will last a lifetime."

Thorburn responded to the message making admissions to raping the victim but she had blocked him. He compiled the messages in a document which he circulated to a sexual assault referral service as well as other agencies. The document was picked up by the defendant's offender manager who visited him on June 13 last year. The victim was later identified and formally interviewed.

The defendant, of Kingsway, Cardiff, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to rape and breach of a SHPO after he was found to have deleted his internet history. The court heard he had previous convictions for accessing indecent images of children having first been convicted in 2019 for accessing 14 Category A images, 19 Category B images, and 149 Category C images. He was later convicted on another count of accessing indecent photos of a child in January 2020 as well as a breach of a SHPO having viewed images of children being raped and admitting he "got a thrill" from doing so.

In a statement she read out to the court the victim said the rape had affected her "emotionally and socially". She said: "I feel Nathan has taken control of the situation for three years. I feel now I want to be in control. What has happened to me has a lifelong effect. If Nathan is sent to prison for this he won't suffer for a lifetime like I have to.

"Nathan choosing to rape me is a lifelong scab I will pick at forever and forever. I was a trusting and caring person; I was soft and gentle in my approach to people and life. Because of what he's done to me I have turned to someone who is hardened. I can't feel emotions towards people. It breaks my heart because this isn't me. I can't trust anyone anymore. It's exhausting and draining to feel like this – constantly having my guard up. I am a broken shell of the woman I once was and woman I was going to be." The victim said Thorburn messaging her had "felt like a punch to the gut" and he had only thought of himself by asking her to "absolve him of the harm he caused".

Hilary Roberts, for Thorburn, said while mitigation for his client was "scant" he had recognised that his behaviour was "wrong", which had troubled him and caused him anxiety. This anxiety had led him to contact his victim "seeking to put things right," which the barrister admitted was done "in a clumsy way" and had caused "obvious stress and aggravation".

Sentencing Thorburn Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke told him that his victim had been "extremely confused about what was going on" during the attack but his actions had had "a devastating impact on her and her life". Describing him as a "dangerous offender" she also said in her sentencing remarks that he "must have known [he] would cause significant distress" by contacting her years later.

She added: "You did a terrible thing to [your victim]. She will have to live with the consequences for the rest of her life. Nothing was her fault. The fault, responsibility, and blame is all yours."

Thorburn was handed a 13-year extended sentence comprising a custodial term of nine years with an extended licence period of four years. He will serve two-thirds of the custodial element of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole. If he is released he will serve the remaining period of the custodial sentence on licence before serving the extended licence period. He was also made subject to a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting or approaching the victim or entering any premises where she lives, works, or studies. He will now be on the sex offenders' register for life.

Description

John Hawker, 25, of St Athan, cruelly abused the victim after bribing her with chocolate and presents

John Hawker repeatedly raped an underaged teenage girl after grooming her for a number of years. The victim said the abuse still continued to make her feel ill and said "I don't feel like me anymore".

John Hawker, 25, cruelly abused the girl which began with him "inappropriately touching" her when she a young child. She consistently told her abuser she was "not interested" in sexual behaviour and told him to stop but he offered her bribes of chocolate and presents in order to gain her "confidence and trust".

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday heard the girl was sleeping when she woke up in pain and discomfort. She realised Hawker was raping her and struggled in an effort to push him off but the defendant persisted. Judge Jeremy Jenkins told the court Hawker had taken the victim's virginity during the rape. He added: "This was her introduction to sex."

Description

A woman racked with shame and guilt called the police and confessed to sexually abusing two young girls when she was in her 20s. She repeatedly indecently assaulted one of the girls, on one occasion abusing her after becoming aroused from a rape scene in a film.

Sarah Bennett, now 50, of Cardiff, brought her sexual offences to the attention of the authorities in 2021, after she had giving up drinking and turned to religion. Her victim was contacted by the police and agreed to bring charges, while the second girl involved did not wish to.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday heard the abuse began when the victim was just 12-years-old. The defendant groomed her by giving her cider and giving her money. The victim developed a crush on her and Bennett told her she had feelings for her.

Prosecutor Ruth Smith heard the first incident of sexual abuse began when Bennett kissed the victim's hand and mouth. She would often "cwtsh" the victim, who described herself as "needy for affection". There was regular kissing and the defendant would "thrust" herself onto the victim.

The abuse escalated to Bennett taking off the victim's shorts before sexually abusing her. Ms Smith said the victim "didn't really know what she was doing". Afterwards, Bennett told the victim not to tell anyone about what had taken place or they wouldn't be able to see each other. Even though she didn't enjoy what was happening, the victim said the idea of not seeing the defendant made her "sad".

On another occasion, Bennett touched the victim's breasts before pulling her tights down before touching her privates.. The victim described herself feeling "stupid" and the actions of the defendant as "forceful and painful". This happened on another occasion, causing the victim to bleed and she had her first period not long afterwards.

The victim said the abuse carried on at "every time the opportunity presented itself". Bennett gave the victim pints of cider and was "rough" with her. She was also verbally abusive towards the victim, calling her a "slag". The victim described herself as "isolated" and "just wanted to die". She wanted the abuse to stop but felt conflicted as Bennett made her "feel special". Ms Smith said the victim began to cut herself with a piece of broken mirror and described her stomach "knotting up" when Bennett was verbally abusive.

On another occasion, Bennett and the victim were watching a film when the defendant became sexually aroused by a rape scene. She threw the victim onto the ground and sexually assaulted her. The abuse continued for a number of years, the victim describing herself as "scared and frightened" when the defendant was in drink, and she began drinking regularly herself. When the victim made new friends, Bennett grabbed her by throat and smashed up her belongings.

The victim said she later realised Bennett had been "controlling" and realised "how wrong" the abuse had been. She later told police: "It wasn't a caring loving relationship. It was a very controlling relationship. She had a hold on me for a long time. I didn't see my family for years and didn't have any confidence in myself or self esteem. I suffer with anxiety which affects me and bothers me."

Matters came to ahead in 2021 when Bennett contacted the police and disclosed the abuse of two girls, including the victim. She said she felt "terrible" and needed to confess. She also described herself as a "different person" after giving up alcohol. When police arrived at her home to arrest her, she left a note.

It read: "Dear Sir/Madam, I confess when I was in my 20s I had a relationship with two teenage girls..... I have hated myself with a passion for year. It seems like a different person or lifetime. The shame and guilt remains within. I am truly sorry."

Bennett, of Pen y Bryn Way, Gabalfa, later pleaded guilty to 14 counts of indecent assault of a child. The court heard she was of previous good character. In mitigation, Adam Sharp said the matters would not have come to light had she not confessed to the police, having been "riddled with guilt" and wishing to atone.

He said the defendant was from a "traditional and religious family" but suffered trauma in her childhood and left the family home before going on to work as an auxiliary nurse and a delivery driver. He said was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and had been clean from alcohol for eight years.

Sentencing, Judge Lucy Crowther said: "You have overcome serious illness and overcome addiction and reconciled with your mother. You did what many wouldn't do. You had the courage to ring the police and tell them something that was not previously known. I accept you are overwhelmed with remorse for what you have done."

Bennett was sentenced to a total of three years imprisonment. She was also made subject to sex offender notification requirements and a restraining order indefinitely, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 20 years.

Description

A married paedophile who groomed what he believed to be a young girl told her to say she was his niece when they met to avoid arousing suspicion.

Daniel Smart engaged in a series of highly sexual conversations with someone he believe to be a 13-year-old child but who was actually an undercover police officer. During the communications Smart told the female he wanted to take her virginity, tried to get her to perform a series of sex acts, and discussed her travelling to see him in Swansea so they could have sex in his car.

When arrested Smart said he was addicted to chatting online, and descried the conversations he had with what he believed to be a child as "verbal porn". Sending the defendant to prison, a judge told the father that though he may find it difficult to accept the fact, the reality is he has a sexual interest in children.

James Hartson, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court in July last year Smart began communicating with what he believed to be a 13-year-old girl online, discussing her age and school and joking he was old enough to be her father but "he wouldn't tell if she wouldn't". Smart then asked the teenager to start chatting with him on Skype in case his wife had access to his WhatsApp account.

The court heard that over the following couple of days Smart engaged in a series of sexual conversations in which he detailed the sexual activity he wanted to do with the child, telling her he wanted to be "her first" and describing how she was making him "horny". He also assured her she would not get pregnant as he had had "the snip". During the conversations the defendant also encouraged the girl to perform sex acts on herself. The court heard 45-year-old Smart also suggested the girl take a "sicky" from school and travel to Swansea so they could have sex in his car, telling her she should pretend to be his niece if anybody raised any questions about them being together.

The defendant was subsequently arrested at his home address, and made admissions to officers about his activities. He said he believed he had "a bit of an addiction" to chatting online, and he described what had happened as "verbal porn" but he said he should have stopped when he found out the age of the person he was talking to. He denied having any sexual attraction to young people.

Daniel Smart, now of Gelyn-y-Cler, Barry, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity - one penetrative activity and one none-penetrative activity - when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has no previous convictions.

Andrew Evans, for Smart, said he defendant remains "at something of a loss" to explain what happened, and has engaged the services of a private counsellor to help him understand the triggers for his behaviour. The advocate said the offending had already had a significant impact on Smart - including the ending of his marriage - and that once released from any custodial sentence he will have to "rebuild his life".

Judge Paul Hobson noted Smart was a father and was in good employment, and he told the defendant that though he may find it difficult to accept it, the fact was he has a sexual attraction to children. With a one-third discount for his guilty pleas and in accordance with the sentencing guidelines Smart was sentenced to 28 months in prison. He will serve up to half that period in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. He will be a registered sex offender for the next 10 years, and was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for the same length of time.

Description

A sex offender pulled a drunk woman into a nightclub unisex toilet cubicle and attempted to rape her. The victim was unable to overpower the man who pulled down her underpants and tried to penetrate her with his penis.

Olaf Koranteng, 27, grabbed the victim's hand and pulled her into a toilet cubicle in Pulse nightclub in Cardiff on July 3 last year. He imprisoned her inside the cubicle and despite her protestations he refused to let her go.

The victim, who has lifelong anonymity, said she felt "disgusting" after the attack and is now petrified of strangers. Koranteng remained in the club and later appeared "confused" when he was arrested by police.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday heard the defendant had arrived in the UK from Ghana less than a month before he carried out the attempted rape. On the night of the attack, the married man had been searching the internet for casual sex and had used the search term "local slags".

The victim attended Pulse with her boyfriend, arriving at 3am. They both went to the unisex toilets at the club, and Koranteng made a comment to the couple. After using the toilets, the victim was unable to find her boyfriend.

Prosecutor Jason Howells said it was at this point Koranteng grabbed hold of her and forcefully pulled her into a cubicle against her will before locking the door. He pushed her against the back wall, put his hands around her neck and tried to kiss her. He tried to grab her hand and put it on his penis but she fought against him.

Koranteng then grabbed her underpants and pulled them down before rubbing his penis on her vagina. She said "What are you doing, get off me" and told the defendant she was with her boyfriend. She managed to unlock the door and escape. She then broke down in tears and told her boyfriend about the attack, before notifying a member of staff.

The victim described Koranteng as "larger, taller and stronger" than her and said the incident left her feeling scared. She told police "It's wrong, it's absolutely wrong."

The defendant, who returned to the dancefloor, was arrested at the club and told police he was having a "fun night meeting white people". During his interview, he said: "Am I going to get away with this? I have learnt my lesson".

Swabs were taken from Koranteng on which the victim's DNA was discovered and he was seen on CCTV approaching a number of women in the nightclub. The defendant, of Lower Cathedral Road, later pleaded guilty to attempted rape. The prosecution did not proceed with two counts of sexual assault in respect two women in the nightclub the same night.

In a victim personal statement read out to the court, the victim said: "In the beginning just after what happened I was unable to shower having to go to the sexual assault referral centre. I felt gross with the man's germs all over me. I felt disgusting and wanted a shower. I felt disgusting having swabs taken and not being able to have a shower before the examination was awful and humiliating.

"Following what happened I wouldn't go out on my own. I was petrified strangers would come up to me as I didn't know what they were capable of. I thought they were going to rape me like the man in Pulse. I don't know how anyone could do that. I will never have trust in anyone again.

"I was blaming myself a lot and would think if I could have done anything differently but I just know I couldn't have got him off me. I am now going to the gym to become stronger. I have been struggling mentally and I am still suffering now. I think I am fine and all of a sudden it will hit me."

The victim said she would never use mixed toilets again and is scared someone will drag her into the toilets.

In mitigation, the court heard Koranteng had come to the UK on his wife's Visa, which he viewed as a "golden opportunity". Defence barrister Josh Scouller said his client wished to apologise to the victim and was "ashamed" and "remorseful" for the distress he had caused her. The defendant claimed he was "drunk and tired" and "misread the signals in a major way". Mr Scouller said he failed to appreciate "cultural differences" in the UK and "took his behaviour too far".

Sentencing, Recorder Bilal Siddique said: "You have nearly managed to rape the victim having isolated her, overpowered her, removed her underwear, took your penis out and pressed your erect penis against her vagina, coming very close to penetrating her. At the last moment the attempt failed.

"You were clearly looking for women that night searching for, in your words, 'local slags' and spent the night alone in the club effectively trying it on with various women. You were looking for casual sexual encounters that night but that is not what this was. This was a stranger rape case."

Koranteng was sentenced to four years and one month imprisonment, with an extended three years on licence. He faces automatic deportation upon his release from prison.

Description

The victims of a former councillor and teacher who sexually abused them as children worried they wouldn't be believed because of his influence. A judge told Anthony Hampton the character he portrayed throughout his life was "a façade."

The 75-year-old ex Vale of Glamorgan councillor was convicted of indecently assaulting two boys in the 1990s, following a trial at Newport Crown Court. He repeatedly rubbed his penis on one of the boy's shoulders before masturbating in his presence, forcing the boy to masturbate him and masturbating the victim.

The second victim was repeatedly touched on the leg near his groin by Hampton. The victims reported the abuse to the police when adults and the former teacher was convicted of 12 counts of indecent assault. The defendant, of Watkiss Way, Cardiff Bay, continues to claim his innocence despite the guilty verdicts.

At a sentencing hearing on Tuesday, victim personal statements were read out by prosecutor Roger Griffiths on behalf of the victims. The first victim said: "As a child growing up I believe his abuse made me a quiet kid, I was withdrawn. The impact of what I experienced made me question my sexuality due to the nature of the abuse he put me through...

"I struggled with the impact of that and struggled to understand why it was me it was happening to, why I was so different and why he abused me. When I came forward and the matter was reported to the police I was extremely fearful I would not be believed and bringing the matter to the attention of the police was upsetting.

"At the time of the abuse he was a serving teacher and serving as a councillor in the Barry area. I feared because of his position and being an influential person in the Vale of Glamorgan, I worried I wouldn't be believed.... It was the worst experience of my life and I was embarrassed and ashamed about what happened to me."

The second victim said he feared emotional attachment, had low self esteem, depression, body dysmorphia, a distrust of others and suffered from bed wetting as a result of the abuse. He said as a result of the body dysmorphia, he used hormones which damaged his heart and left his body disfigured.

The victim said he tried to take his own life with a drugs overdose and had been abusing drugs and alcohol but had been clean for 18 months. He said: "My mental suffered and I thought I wouldn't be believed...

"I've questioned why he did what he did to me and what right he had to do it. He didn't have any right, I was a child and he was an adult. Hampton said the accusations against him were abhorrent but what he did was abhorrent. I'm pleased the jury have seen him for what he is even though he doesn't have the guts to admit what he has done."

In mitigation, Christopher Rees said his client's reputation was ruined and he had lost his good character. he said the defendant was in ill health and his wife was reliant on him for care.

Sentencing, Judge Richard Williams said: "The character you portrayed to the outside world has been a facade. There is no remorse on your part."

Hampton was sentenced to a total of seven years imprisonment. He was also made subject to sex offender notification requirements indefinitely.

Description

A bus driver repeatedly raped and sexually as well as physically abused five teenage girls - and left them feeling suicidal. The majority of the girls were underage when he preyed on them, a court heard.

Lee Williams, 32, of Cardiff, groomed his victims by buying them jewellery, cuddly toys and food while lying about his age. Once in a relationship with the victims, he raped them and subjected them to further degrading sexual acts which left them injured and crying.

Addressing a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, prosecutor Roger Griffiths said: “We say the defendant sexually abused these children to satisfy his desire for sexual activity with children under the age of consent. He took advantage of their immaturity and in some cases vulnerability in order to carry out these offences.”

Williams began abusing the first victim when she was 15 years old after they had met when he was driving a bus. He told her he “liked younger girls” and raped her a number of times. After being raped, she was physically sick. In a victim personal statement, the first victim said she was bullied at school and suffering from depression, which Williams took advantage of.

She said: “He raped me, plied me with drugs and would make it seem like it was my fault. I wondered if I had done something wrong to make him treat me like this... He was also a feeder and plied me with takeaways. I put on four stone in eight months.” The victim said she tried to take her own life due to the abuse.

The second victim was over the age of consent when Williams raped her. She met him through the first victim and he started buying her gifts. He then raped and strangled her numerous times. On one occasion he strangled her until she lost consciousness while he was raping her. He also raped her while she was asleep and sexually assaulted her, which caused her injuries. Without her consent, he placed her on a dating website and tried to force her into having a threesome.

In her victim personal statement, she said Williams would drive to remote locations and would point a toy BB gun at her.

She added: “He saw I was vulnerable and took advantage of it. He took my bank card and transferred money to himself. He isolated me and I couldn’t do anything without him. That’s when the abuse started. I felt the only way out was to take my own life.”

The victim was frightened when he strangled her and “thought he was going to kill her”. The third victim came into contact with Williams when she was 14 years old. They had sex after her 15th birthday. He went on to rape her and turned his attention to his fourth victim. A court heard he abused the latter two victims in a van.

He told the third victim to delete pictures and to lie about their relationship. She said: “I was unhappy because of what Lee was doing to me.” The court was told that she now suffers flashbacks and nightmares.

The fourth victim was told by Williams to “keep quiet” or they would get into trouble. She later told police :“I don’t like my body because I know he has touched it... I don’t like being around men anymore.”

The fifth victim was 13 years old when the abuse began, after Williams contacted her on Snapchat and told her he was 18. He took her to McDonald’s and pressured her into having sex. They met further times and had sex and he offered her amphetamines and cannabis. The defendant later sexually assaulted her and raped her, despite her telling him to get off, before telling her: “You’ll get used to it in time.”

Williams also told the girl to wear school uniform and that he wanted to have sex with an 11-year-old. As well as being physically abusive - which included punching her in the stomach - he sent her messages saying “I just raped you.”

She said: “I would like to know why he did what he did to me. I will never know.”

Williams, of Brynheulog, Pentwyn, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to 12 counts of rape, 14 counts of sexual activity with a child, and two counts of assault by penetration. He had previously been convicted of benefit fraud and possession of class B drugs.

In mitigation, the court heard the defendant acknowledged his behaviour and was willing to engage in rehabilitative work. Defence barrister Christopher Rees said his client’s best mitigation was his early guilty plea.

Sentencing, the Recorder of Cardiff Judge Tracey Lloyd said: “Your behaviour has caused significant trauma to them all, some of your victims have felt guilty but they have nothing to be guilty about. The guilt and the responsibility all lie with you.”

Williams was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of nine years and four months. He was made subject to sex offender notification requirements, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining order in respect of all his victims indefinitely.