Latest Offenders Powys

Description

A MAN from Llangollen who “took advantage” of a group of “vulnerable” and “troubled” teenagers has been jailed.

Stephen Thomas, of Erw Deg, was sentenced at Mold Crown Court today (October 10) to six years and six months’ imprisonment.

The 46-year-old had previously admitted breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), supplying a class A drug (cocaine), and attempted sexual assault of a child.

Simon Rogers, prosecuting, told the court that Thomas invited the group into his home, with the promise of drugs, alcohol, and a “place where they could spend time”.

This took place across a six-week period in January and February 2022 – he was already a registered sex offender, so was subject to a SHPO at the time, which meant his mobile phone was being monitored.

He told the teenagers he was dying, which made them “sympathetic” to him and exchanged mobile numbers with them.

Thomas was also moving SIM cards between multiple phones at the time, while the phone he used to contact the group was deliberately hidden from police.

Inviting the teenagers to “chill” at his house became a “regular occurrence”, Mr Rogers said, adding that Thomas began to buy them alcohol and cocaine.

One of the teenagers also said Thomas would “always want pictures of us on his phone, but he would never be in them”.

On one occasion, one of the females passed out on Thomas’ sofa after he had given her cocaine and alcohol, while most of the rest of the group were outside.

Thomas carried her upstairs and lay her on his bed before starting to remove her clothing, but it was at this point that some of the group returned and noticed him.

They became “angry” at him, because it was apparent that Thomas was seeking to “take advantage of an extremely vulnerable girl for his own sexual gratification”.

Following this, police became involved – at the time of his arrest, Thomas had an old mobile phone on his person, which the battery was falling out of.

In interview, he painted the children as “liars”.

One of the children said in a statement: “I don’t want to be his victim. I just want to be OK. I will be a survivor, not his victim.”

Another said they felt “violated” by Thomas, and added that he “ruined my childhood”, while a third said they “feel sick at the thought of seeing him”.

A fourth child added: “I feel like life just spiralled out of control. I’ll always be scared of him, he made my childhood hell.”

Defending Thomas, who had four previous convictions for 34 offences, Duncan Bould said his client is suffering from “chronic and serious ill health” which “isn’t going to get better”.

He said Thomas has made “a little bit of progress” since being remanded in custody, and asked the court to acknowledge his “limited number of previous convictions”.

Sentencing, Judge Nicola Jones told Thomas: “You put them in positions of particular vulnerability for the purposes of grooming them.

“It’s clear that the aim was to groom these children for sexual purposes.”

Thomas was made subject to a SHPO and sex offenders register notification requirements for an indefinite period.

Judge Jones also issued indefinite restraining orders, preventing Thomas from contacting five people.

All items seized from him by police were ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.

Description

A paedophile who was initially discovered with indecent images by his wife who recorded him playing guitar breached a court order after being found with further images or child abuse. He tried to delete the images after police made an unannounced visit to his home.

Eifion Humphries, 32, was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order in 2023 after he was convicted of possessing images of child abuse, including photos that had mages of young girls being orally raped by a man. He was discovered after he asked his wife to use his mobile to video him playing the guitar and she saw what was stored on the device.

A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Monday heard Humphries was sentenced to a community order, and was made subject to conditions which would prohibit him from deleting his internet browsing history and his electronic devices regularly monitored. Prosecutor Matthew Murphy said police visited the defendant's home in Newtown, Powys, on August 22, and he suspiciously took his phone to the toilet.

The device was later inspected and was found to contain indecent images of children, between the ages of eight and 10-years-old, in a deleted file. He had also been messaging a woman with four children.

Humphries, of Parkers Lane, was arrested and told police he had visited a chatroom, because he was "bored", and was sent the images by others which he had not requested. He did say he was prepared to distribute the images if anyone asked for them. The defendant had also deleted the Telegram app, which he was prohibited from doing.

In total, Humphries was found in possession of 41 category A images, 40 category C images and 72 category C images. In mitigation, Sol Hartley said his client had told him "I have a problem, I need to be in prison". The barrister said the defendant needed help to better understand his actions, and recognised immediate custody was inevitable.

Judge Jeremy Jenkins sentenced Humphries to 24 months imprisonment. He also made him subject to a new Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sex offender notification requirements for 10 years each.

Description

A POWYS sex offender who breached an order by downloading 114 more of the worst images of child sexual abuse has been jailed.

Jason Moore, who was previously convicted under the name of Leon Barry Shinkwin in May 2023, was sentenced to 15 months at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Thursday for four offences of making offensive images.

He was found with 122 category A images - the most serious kind - 47 category B and 231 category C images across two devices, including still pictures of the rape and sexual abuse of a girl aged between two and four years old.

He also breached his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) which had been ordered in 2017.

Recorder R Philpotts heard that on April 30, 2022, Dyfed-Powys Police visited 35-year-old Moore’s address in Neuadd Terrace, Bronllys to check up on devices and internet history.

They knocked on the door and were told that Moore ‘was getting dressed’ but took five minutes to allow them into the property, arousing suspicion that he had been deleting his internet history.

An immediate search of the device showed gaps in the history on that device but screengrabs were found with eight category A images, 11 category B and 60 category C.

He was eventually interviewed in October 2022 and denied deleting his history, saying he had lost other devices on a night out in Cardiff.

Officers attended his workplace but were unable to gain access to his locker. By they the time they had returned the next day, they were told Moore had emptied it and removed it from the premises.

Officers were able to view CCTV that showed him using a phone and that device was never recovered.

In November 2022 – six months after his arrest – a third device was found containing 114 category A images including the rape of a girl between two and four by two men, as well as 36 category B and 171 category C.

He denied, again, the deletion of internet history because ‘I would be in breach of my SHPO’ but the court heard that his attempt to hide the device, by clearing out his locker, constituted the new breach.

In mitigation, Moore’s defence barrister Nick Gedge called for 25 per cent off his sentence because of an early guilty plea and also reminded the court that in the two years since his arrest, he had not reoffended.

He also called on Recorder Philpotts to spare his client jail so he could complete the Horizon rehabilitation programme for sex offenders.

Description

A 23-year-old Powys man with a clear sexual interest in children is beginning a six-year prison sentence after being found guilty of multiple child sex offences.

Callum Walker, from Presteigne, was described as highly manipulative by Judge Paul Hobson at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday, September 2, who said he used his three female victims like objects.

Walker, who admitted some of the 10 charges against him but denied most of them, was found guilty at trial earlier this year.

Walker was aged between 18 and 20 during the period the offences occurred, between December 2018 and September 2021. His victims were as young as 12.

Walker denied five counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual communication with a child, but was found guilty of all five.

He admitted two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity; sexual communication with a child; possession of indecent photographs of a child and possessing an extreme pornographic image.

He has been described by a probation officer as a high risk to young girls.

Prosecutors in the case said Walker began talking to two of his victims, who were friends, in the winter of 2018.

The defendant met one of the victims on Instagram when she was 12, said prosecutor Mr Jones.

The conversation moved to Snapchat and then video calling. It was sexual from the time they began talking and involved her displaying her breasts, vagina and backside. He groomed her into acting in this way.

There were gaps but continued communication in June 2021.

Mr Jones said two counts Walker faced related to a victim who had never been identified.

With another victim, Mr Jones said Walker lied about his age, telling her he was 17 when he was in fact 20.

It was sustained and persistent communication, said Mr Jones.

Two offences of sexual assault on a child, aged 13, in 2021, relate to the third victim.

Mr Jones said restraining orders were sought by all three victims, none of whom had wished to provide police with victim impact statements.

Ms Cox, representing Walker, spoke of the difficult upbringing her client had endured.

He has accepted there was communication over a period but not the degree of manipulation commented on, she said.

There was an element of roleplay and fantasy and there were mutual exchanges from both sides, with a degree of reciprocation from one victim, who appears to be perfectly content engaging with the defendant. There was a degree of a relationship between them."

Ms Cox said during the period of offending, Walker had to deal with his father being removed from the family home.

There were mental health struggles during the period of offending, she said.

Judge Hobson told Walker the messages he sent showed a manipulative side to him.

These offences involved three child victims," the judge said. "Yet you continue to minimise the seriousness of what you did, which was a particular concern of the probation officer.

You have experienced difficult matters in your life, but that does not begin to excuse the way you behaved towards your victims.

You put your own need for sexual gratification ahead of their welfare.

You have a clear sexual interest in children and you continue to deny or downplay it, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, and the overwhelming verdicts of the jury.

You spoke of a hook-up culture but it wasnt this; it was child abuse.

Walker was jailed for six years in total. This includes three years for causing a child to engage in sexual activity; two years and three months for inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity; and nine months for sexual communication with a child with these terms to be served consecutively.

Furter periods of 18 months, 15 months and one month each for possession of child sex images and a pornographic image of a dog will be served concurrently.

The judge granted restraining orders for each victim, which will last 10 years. A sexual harm prevention order will last for the same period.

Walker will be subject to a notification period indefinitely meaning he will have to make police aware of any changes in accommodation, for example, forever. He was also ordered to hand over his mobile phone.

Description

A convicted trans sex offender who repeatedly punched, kicked and stamped on a lone woman in what a judge called an 'unprovoked and frightening' attack has been jailed for two years.

Louise Thomas, 24, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm on Tilly Lloyd-Jones on a canal path in the Newtown area. 

Prosecutor Jemma Gordon said the victim had been set upon by Thomas, who had been sitting on a bench, after she walked past in broad daylight in April.

Judge Timothy Petts at Caernarfon crown court said the victim, who now has difficulty concentrating on her university studies, was left with nasty bruising to the face and four chipped teeth.

Thomas, of Llanllwchaiarn Road, Newtown, is being held in Berwyn men's jail at Wrexham, and received an extended licence period of two-and-a-half years.

Judge Petts told the defendant: 'It's a very concerning case. This isn't the first time you have been in trouble. You have got a poor record of assault stretching back over several years. I have read the pre-sentence report which is very concerning.

'Out of the blue you assaulted a young woman who had done absolutely nothing to deserve what you did.' 

Miss Lloyd-Jones, whose assailant was identified from CCTV footage, had nightmares about her ordeal and felt uneasy about leaving her home alone.

Thomas had convictions for violence, sexual assault and child porn offences.

Defence barrister John Wyn Williams accepted it was a 'concerning' case and said Thomas had unstable moods and post-traumatic stress. 

But counsel said: 'Before she was remanded into custody she was doing well, gained employment.'

Mr Wyn Williams added: 'She doesn't accept this offence was sexually motivated in any way. There's quite a sad background to this young woman.'

Description

A man sneaked into a woman's house in the dead of night and raped her in her bed, a court has heard. The victim said her attacker seemed to "believe he was entitled to my body" and she said her home now feels like a "crime scene".

Ian Wright, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court the rape occurred in June last year after the victim had gone to bed at around 11pm. After listening to the radio for a while the woman fell asleep only to wake some time later to find Edwards in her room. The court heard the woman, who is in her 60s, "froze in terror" as the intruder got into bed beside her. The 42-year-old defendant then raped the woman, telling her: "I am going to shoot my load".

The court heard the victim subsequently confided in a friend about what had happened and the matter was reported to police. When arrested the defendant said he had "nothing to worry about" as the sex had been consensual and in his interview he again claimed the woman had consented.

In a statement read to the court the victim described the huge psychological impact of the offence. She said Edwards "believed he was entitled to my body" and the attack had triggered her post-traumatic stress disorder and left her worried that any male she sees could be a rapist. The woman said she struggles to sleep and sees her attacker's face whenever she goes to bed and she said her house is now a "crime scene" and "will never feel homely again".

Matthew Edwards, of Penrallt Street, Machynlleth, Powys, had previously pleaded guilty to rape when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has convictions from Gwynedd Magistrates' Court for harassment in 2004 and for common assault – kicking and spitting in the face of an ex-partner – in 2005 and convictions for battery from Montgomery Magistrates' Court in 2011. In 2023 he was convicted of stalking at Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion Magistrates' Court.

Ian Ibrahim, for Edwards, said the defendant "deeply regrets" what he did. He said his client had worked in a variety of jobs over the years including gardening, construction, and factory work and he said the custodial sentence he was now facing would be by far the longest he has served. The barrister said Edwards lives in a small community where everybody knows each other and his conviction has resulted in an "astronomical" social fall.

Judge Geraint Walters said it was clear from the defendant's antecedent record that he had "something of an obsessional personality". He said he had read a letter the defendant had written to the court and he accepted his remorse was genuine. With a 10% discount for his guilty plea Edwards was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison. He will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.

Description

A convicted paedophile from Welshpool with a history of "absolutely disgusting and revolting behaviour" against young girls has been jailed for 12 months after staying two nights in the same hotel room as a toddler without telling police.

Daniel Robert Henry Thomas, aged 34, of Leighton View, a registered sex offender, did not tell police or the probation service that he was going away with the child and their mother last year.

Thomas was sentenced at Mold Crown Court on Thursday (February 2) after pleading guilty to failing to comply with the sex offender register requirements which breached his six-month suspended sentence.

His Honour Judge Rhys Rowlands described the Welshpool grave digger as "arrogant" and a "risk taker" who deliberately didn't tell police that he was going to stay at a place for at least 12 hours where a child would be present.

Sion ap Mihangel, prosecuting barrister, said: "It was a deliberate failure. He knew the requirements and he did nothing about it.

"The defendant was interviewed and, significantly, knew it was part of his requirements to contact police and he knew how to.

"He accepted that no attempts were made. It is clear from the officer’s statement he was reminded on several occasions of the requirements of the order."

When defence barrister Laura Knightly told the court that Thomas had completed all the requirements of his sentence and had engaged well with the probation service, Judge Rowlands responded: "He sent a picture of an erect penis to a child. It seems remarkably lenient that Welshpool Magistrates’ Court gave a suspended sentence. It wouldn’t have happened here.”

Ms Knightly continued: "He says he forgot the terms of the requirements but was reminded by probation which is why he knew about them by the time he was spoken to by the police."

The court was told that Thomas' family members were in court to support him, which the judge said was "all the more worrying, really".

Thomas has been a registered sex offender since 2012 and served a 28-month prison sentence after he was convicted of two counts of sexual activity with a child.

In 2019 he was fined by Welshpool Magistrates' Court for failing to comply with a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO). A year later he was back in Welshpool court for breaching the order and was sentenced to six months in prison, but it was suspended for two years.

Two months after appearing in court he was convicted again for sexual communications with a child.

During sentencing, Judge Rowlands told Thomas: "The picture is depressing that you are simply not complying with court requirements.

"The custody threshold has undoubtedly been passed here. I’m of the view there aren’t realistic prospects of rehabilitation in your case.”

Thomas was sentenced to four months in prison for breaching his suspended sentence, and eight months for failing to comply with the sex offenders register.

Description

A PAEDOPHILE raped a little girl after showing her a pornographic film and “grooming” her by promising to buy her an iPhone and trainers.

“Predator” Daniel Lynch tried to bribe her with £100 to buy her silence but she had the bravery to stand up to him and tell her mother.

The 38-year-old convicted killer from Cwmbran was found guilty of a catalogue of sexual offences following a trial.

He was convicted of 15 counts in all and they included three counts of rape, five of assault by touching, three of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, assaulting a girl by penetration with a part of the body/thing and one of causing a child to watch/look at an image of sexual activity.

Lynch, who had 18 convictions for 23 offences, was jailed for manslaughter in 2009, Cardiff Crown Court was told.

Alexander Greenwood, prosecuting, read out the victim’s impact statement written by her mother.

Her mum said: “The defendant was a predator.

“She was forced into an adult world of sex.

“This will affect her for the rest of her life.

“My daughter has had her childhood stolen from her.”

Paul Hewitt, representing Lynch, said that although his client had serious previous convictions, there were none for sexual offences.

Judge Lucy Crowther told the defendant: “You showed her a pornographic film.

“You used that as an instruction to show her what you wanted her to do.”

She added: “You denied it and caller her a liar.

“You made the victim and her mother sit through the trial.

“You’ve now admitted that you lied to the jury and you feel sorry for yourself in the pre-sentence report.”

Lynch, now of Newgate Street, Llanfaes, Brecon, was jailed for 18 years.

The defendant was sentenced to a 17-year custodial term plus an extended licence period.

Judge Crowther said Lynch will serve at least 11 years and three months behind bars before he is eligible for parole.

The defendant will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and was made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Lynch showed no emotion as he was sentenced.

The judge commended the victim and her mother for their dignity and hailed the “courageous” little girl as a “remarkable child”.

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A PAEDOPHILE ‘kissed and cuddled’ a 14-year-old girl in Cheshire before booking a hotel room for them both.

Callum Abbott was 21 years old when he committed the vile offence in Warrington town centre.

Abbott, now 23, appeared before Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to being an offender aged 18 or over engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 14.

Prosecuting, Amanda York told the court how the offence happened in March 2020.

Ms York revealed that since the incident the victim has suffered from panic attacks.

Defending, Mr Derbyshire, said that his client suffers from ‘complex mental health issues’ and has a history of substance abuse.

He said that a custodial sentence would be ‘detrimental’ to Abbott's mental health and well-being.

Mr Derbyshire said that Abbott, of Newtown, Wales, is aware of the mistakes he made and has already taken steps to ‘address his offending behaviour’.

Abbott was handed a two-year community order in which he must complete up to 35 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a Horizons Programme - an intervention delivered to men who have a sexual conviction.

He is also subject to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a five-year restraining order and must abide by sex offender registration requirements.

Description

A paedophile dwarf who incited two teenage girls to carry out sex acts online has avoided prison because he would have a 'very hard time'.

Bryan Anthony Bowen, of Welshpool, Powys, contacted the children, aged 13 and 15, on their Facebook pages, where he asked them for sex and to send naked photos.

In one message to the older girl, Bowen, 26, wrote: 'I will f*** you for your birthday present', Mold Crown Court heard.

He was handed a 48-week prison sentence, suspended for two years.

During his sentencing, Bowen was described by Judge Rhys Rowland as 'small in stature and emotionally inadequate' - and that he would have a 'very hard time' in prison, according to The Sun.

Anna Price, prosecuting, told the court. that the 15-year-old girl had attempted to block Bowen after he had sent her a message saying 'Do you want to f***?'.

It was after this that he sent the girl the obscene 'birthday present' message.

Police found another message on his laptop to the 13-year-old, whom he described as 'fit as f***' and inquired whether she had a boyfriend.

When Bowen was arrested, he said that he thought the girls were over 16.

He later admitted the two incitement charges, which occurred between July and October 2015. A further harassment charge was dropped.

Defending, Dafydd Roberts urged the judge not to jail Bowen, who has learning difficulties.

Bowen was given a rehabilitation order, which includes a three-month curfew between 9pm and 7am.

He was also given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register.

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Gary Rolinson took advantage of his students while he was teaching them to drive

A "predatory" driving instructor who sexually abused six boys during their lessons has been jailed.

Gary Rolinson ran the 500+ driving school in Kingswinford when he abused the boys over a period of two years.

One victim said the 60-year-old would rub his legs to "congratulate" him for driving well, or "squeeze" parts of his body if he "did something wrong".

Rolinson, now living in Llandrindod Wells, was jailed for four years after a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

He was found guilty of 12 counts of of sexual assault and one of causing a person to engage in sexual activity.

West Midlands Police described Rolinson as "a predatory offender" who told the boys they would not be believed if they reported he assaults.

One victim told the BBC: "To congratulate you for doing something right, say checking a blind spot before pulling off, he would move his hands over and start to rub your leg.

"If you did something wrong he'd squeeze certain parts of your body."

He added: "It's been such a lengthy process. The amount of stress that's been put on me and my family has been unreal."

After the sentencing, Det Insp Sarah Booth said: "Some of the victims have also said that they felt embarrassed and that they didn't want to tell their parents, because they felt their parents would be upset because they had arranged Rolinson to be instructors for them."

Rolinson must also sign the sex offenders register for life.