Latest Offenders Swansea

Description

A PAEDOPHILE exposed himself to children in shops as part of a “warped” sexual game in which he used cards and a dice to pursue young girls with the intent of sexually abusing them.

Prosecutor Hannah George told Swansea Crown Court that 60-year-old Steven Loveridge was “a determined paedophile who has an entrenched sexual interest in children”.

On November 28 last year, Loveridge exposed his penis to a nine-year-old girl who was waiting for her mother outside the toilets at Asda in Ystalyfera.

She covered her eyes and reported the incident to her mum. This was then reported to staff and the police.

At around 3.30pm on December 8, two girls visited Home Bargains in Ystradgynlais. The defendant stood behind them and said ‘Hiya girls’. They moved as they felt “uncomfortable”, but Loveridge followed them.

Loveridge then exposed his penis and said ‘Do you want to stroke my cock?’.

The girls ran away and reported the incident to staff, and this was then reported to the police.

Loveridge was arrested walking from Ystalyfera to Ystradgynlais, and he was found with dice and coloured cards which included actions such as ‘Follow 15’, ‘Pursue 10’, ‘Stop pursuing’, ‘Girl incoming’, and ‘Hostage’.

Police recovered six laptops, tablets, computers, a video recorder, and SD cards from his home.

On these, officers found 82 Category A – the most serious – indecent images, 64 Category B images, and 323 Category C images dating back to July 2007. These included 48 Category A, 26 Category B, and 69 Category C videos.

He had also searched for the age of consent in the UK and primary school lunch and break times.

The officers also found notes and maps detailing children, their schools, their ages, and the routes they would take. He also marked out cycle routes, houses with children’s toys outside, and “escape routes” on the maps, as well as labelling a group of remote outbuildings with the word ‘hostage’.

Ms George said the defendant used the map, cards, and dice as part of a “warped” sexual game he created to target children and commit sexual offences.

Amongst the notes, he referred to some children as being “in their prime”, and police also found voice recordings including one that detailed his offending in Home Bargains in which he said “I felt like it was going to work”.

He also gave files names including ‘Operation Salad Cream’ - which detailed the movements of children and how he watched them playing hockey – and ‘Home Bargains Make It Happen’.

Loveridge, of Cyfyng Road in Ystalyfera, pleaded guilty to two offences of exposure, two offences of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and three charges of possessing indecent images of children.

Mr Roberts, appearing for the defendant, described this as “a worrying case”.

“There’s really no mitigation coming from the facts of the case,” he said.

“His behaviour was driven by a devious sexual interest in children.”

He added the offences were committed “at a time he had some difficulties in his life” which led to his “inhibitors [being] completely absent”.

Judge Catherine Richards sentenced Loveridge to a total of six years and seven months in custody, with a further six years extended licence period.

He must register as a sex offender for life, and the judge imposed 15-year restraining orders.

Judge Richards commended the police investigation which uncovered the scale of Loveridge’s offending.

Description

A man from Swansea has been jailed after he committed sexual assaults against a child spanning a number of years.

60-year-old Peter Brock, from Ynysforgan, sexually assaulted the victim by touching and caused them to engage in sexual activity between the ages of 9 and 11 years old.

Brock then manipulated the child to ensure they didn’t tell anyone about the sexual touching. However, years later, the victim had the courage to tell someone what happened.

After pleading not guilty, Brock was found guilty of seven counts of sexual touching and inciting a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He has been sentenced to an extended 13 years in prison. He is subject of a restraining order against the victim, and is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

He will be on the sex offenders register for life.

Description

A man from Swansea has been jailed after he was caught exchanging sexual messages with a decoy account which he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.

34-year-old Guy Brigdale, from Fforestfach, pleaded guilty to numerous offences following the messages he sent in January of this year, which included:

• Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child
• Attempting to cause/incite a girl aged 13-15 to engage in sexual activity
• Attempting to cause a child aged 13-15 to watch/look at an image of sexual activity
• Attempting to meet a child under the age of 16 following grooming
• Breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order

For the combined offences, Brigdale has been handed an extended 12-year sentence. 

Previous Conviction - 2017-03-03

Guy Brigdale messaged the youngster on Facebook and attempted to get her to take and send indecent pictures

A man has been jailed for three years and put on the sex-offenders register for life after contacting a young girl on social media and trying to get her to send him sexually explicit photographs.

Swansea Crown Court heard that 26-year-old Guy Brigdale messaged the youngster on Facebook and attempted to get her to take and send indecent pictures.

However a family member of the victim saw some of the messages he had sent on the girl's phone - and then pretended to be her, and carried on the exchanges with the defendant.

Police were later contacted, and Brigdale arrested at an address in Swansea.

Brigdale, of Heol y Cae, Pontarddulais had previously pleaded guilty to attempting to incite a girl under-16 to send him photographs when he appeared in the dock today for sentencing. The Pontarddulais address is not the address where the offending took place.

Stuart John, for Brigdale, said his client accepted he had "issues", and wanted help in addressing them.

Judge Keith Thomas said he had read a probation report into the defendant and it was clear he had "a particular sexual interest" in such matters and intended to arrange to meet the girl, who cannot be named to protect her identity.

The judge told him: "You were grooming her and you would have committed more serious offences if given the opportunity."

Brigdale was sentenced to three years in prison, and put on the sex offenders register for life. He was also made the subject of Sexual Harm Prevention Order which bans him from having unauthorised contact with under-16s, and from deleting his search histories on internet devices.

Description

A man who has multiple previous sexual offences has been jailed after masturbating at Swansea bus station in front of shocked passengers.

43-year-old Mark Jones, from Mount Pleasant, committed the offence shortly after 1:30am on February 1 this year, in full view of passing members of public. He refused to leave when confronted by security staff.

Jones fled the scene upon the arrival of police but was soon arrested nearby. He told officers he would continue to enact the same behaviour if he was released.

After pleading guilty to an act of outraging public decency, he has been sentenced to six months in prison.

Description

A senior doctor at a major Welsh hospital abused his position and power in order to sexually assault female members of staff, a court has heard.

Naleen Thota attacked his victims when they were on duty after he ensured they were alone together and there was no one around who could see what he was doing.

Swansea Crown Court heard statements from the victims in which they detailed the doctor's offending and its impact on them, with one saying how he "wielded his position of power like a weapon to hurt me and silence me". The judge said the two complainants had shown "enormous courage and strength" in reporting the assaults and then in giving evidence against the defendant at trial.

The court heard 55-year-old Thota was a senior doctor in the intensive care unit at Swansea's Morriston Hospital when he cornered and sexually assaulted his two victims, the sex attacks taking place on different days. The court heard the assaults were not reported by the women at the time as they were concerned about his position of power in the hospital and were worried that they would not be believed. The offending was eventually reported but the defendant denied any wrong doing and the matter went to trial.

Naleen Thota, of Keepers Close, Penllergaer, Swansea, had previously been convicted at trial of two counts of sexual assault when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has no previous convictions.

In statements read to the court by prosecution barrister Craig Jones, the complainants set out the impact of the assaults on them. One woman described how Thota had "wielded his position of power like a weapon to hurt me and silence me". She said she was afraid she would not be believed if she reported the assault and felt isolated and scared.

She said the "violation" at the hands of Thota took her mental health "to a very dark place" but said the guilty verdicts of the jury had restored her belief that if you speak up, people will believe you. In her statement, the second victim described the defendant's behaviour as "predatory and calculating" and said he had sought out and groomed his victims. She said Thota presented a "friendly façade" to fellow doctors which hid his true nature, and she said she had sought counselling to try to deal with what he did to her.

Hywel Davies, for Thota, said the defendant trained as a doctor in his native India then moved to the UK some 22 years ago and had spent all but one month of that time in Swansea. He said a meeting to determine the defendant's employment locally was due to take place soon, and he said whether Thota would ever practise medicine again was unknown.

The barrister said that whatever the sentence imposed by court, the reality was the family would likely have to sell their house and downsize and, because of the shame the defendant had brought on the family, likely move to another area. He said the defendant was already doing work to address his views about the workplace, and he invited the court to find that the prison sentence that was due for the offending was not one that had to be served immediately.

Judge Catherine Richards said the two complainants had shown "enormous courage and strength" in reporting the assaults and then in giving evidence against the defendant at trial. She told Thota that like sexual offenders before him "these offences were born out of the exercise of power that was used against these women without regard to the impact on them". She noted the defendant's seniority in the hospital and his reputation among colleagues but said it was exactly those factors which made Thota think that he could get away with his behaviour, and she called it a "gross and calculated abuse of power and position". She told Thota he had brought shame and disgrace on his family.

The judge said the offending clearly crossed the custody threshold and the real question for the court was whether immediate custody was the only appropriate punishment. She said the defendant's continued denial of guilt meant there was little prospect of rehabilitation and she noted the doctor's career would, "rightly", be curtailed in the future which would reduce his risk of re-offending.. The judge said she also had in mind the impact of immediate prison on Thota's wife and daughters, and the current prison population.

Thota was sentenced to 21 months in prison suspended for two years and was ordered to do 300 hours of unpaid work and to complete a rehabilitation course. He was also made the subject of 10-year restraining orders. Thota will be a registered sex offender for the next 10 years.

Description

A former Bishop from Swansea has been jailed after pleading guilty to multiple child sex offences.

Anthony Pierce, 84, from Swansea Vale, pleaded guilty – at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, February 7, 2025 – to five counts of indecent assault on a child under the age of 16.

He has today been sentenced to four years and one month in prison. Upon release, he will be made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He will be on the sex offenders register for life.

Description

THIS Pontarddulais sex offender sent a picture of his penis to who he thought was a 13-year-old girl, having already repeatedly breached a court order.

Daniel Owens was described by a judge as “undeterrable”, as he returned to court to be sentenced for his latest offences.

The court heard that Owens had previously been sentenced three times for breaching his sexual harm prevention order.

Addressing the defendant, Judge Paul Thomas KC said: “Despite all that assistance, despite all those chances, none of those constructive sentences have brought about any change.”

He sentenced Owens to a total of 18 months imprisonment, with an additional two-year extended licence period.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Owens contacted who he thought was a young girl on an online messaging application on October 6. The ‘girl’ was actually a decoy account.

Prosecutor Regan Walters said the defendant’s profile read: “Here to have some fun and spread my seed”, and included a topless picture of himself.

Owens asked the ‘girl’ to move the conversation on to WhatsApp or Snapchat, and the decoy said they were 13 years old. However, he continued to send her his number and asked her to message him on WhatsApp.

The defendant video called the decoy three times and phoned them in order to try and verify they were a real child, Mr Walters said.

Owens turned the conversion sexual, and messaged “Would you like to see it though” and sent a picture of his penis.

He also solicited sexual pictures, and told the ‘girl’ that he would show him ejaculating to them.

The defendant was reported to the police, and South Wales Police attended his address on November 1.

Owens was arrested, and officers seized his phone, laptop and PlayStation console. They also seized a telescopic baton.

He admitted he was the only person who had access to the messages on his phone, and added that he wasn’t aware that it was against the law to have a telescopic baton.

The court heard that Owens was a registered sex offender, and had been made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order in 2016 after being sentenced for sexual assault.

Owens, 29, of Fford Cambria in Pontarddulais, pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child, sending a photograph of his genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation, breaching a sexual harm prevention order, and possessing an offensive weapon in private place.

“He’s undeterrable isn’t he?,” said Judge Thomas. “He continues to commit offences.”

Owens must register as a sex offender indefinitely.

Description

This is the face of a child sex offender who a judge said seemed ‘completely determined’ to breach a court order designed to prevent further offending.

Adrian John Thomas was sentenced to three years in prison last month, for four breaches of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) and one offence of failing to comply with notification requirements.

Thomas, 31, of no fixed abode, was issued a SHPO and notification order in 2017 following a ‘serious child sexual offence’.

The court heard that he had breached the order a total of 15 times, including the most recent offences.

Thomas had been released from prison in October 2023 and moved to an approved address in Swansea.

In January 2024 he had moved to Pembrokeshire and had moved in with his mother who lived in sheltered housing. However, he registered with the police as being of no fixed address, breaching the notification requirement of his order.

He then took over his mother's iPhone despite her protests, adding a PIN and facial recognition to the device and creating two Instagram accounts, a Gmail account and a Facebook account. All in breach of the terms of the SHPO.

The court heard that these actions had caused his mother to feel distressed and trapped.

Thomas admitted four breaches of the SHPO and one offence of failing to comply with the notification requirement and appeared for sentencing at Swansea Crown Court on December 19.

In his defence it was said that he had moved in with his mother as he had no alternative accommodation other than a tent.

He was regretful of his actions and had sought support for his mental health.

Judge His Honour Paul Thomas said: “You seem completely determined to breach the sexual harm prevention order you were made subject of following conviction for a serious child sexual offence.

“You lied to police about where you were living. You used your mother’s phone against her wishes despite her begging you not to do so. You were on licence from an earlier offence.

“You are 31 You have amassed a very bad record for offences of this type. You appear undeterrable in your refusal to abide by the sexual harm prevention order.”

He sentenced Thomas to a total of three years in prison.

Description

A man pushed his way into a woman's caravan in the early hours of the morning and sexually assaulted her, a court has heard. James Birmingham pushed and threw the woman around the static home "like a rag doll" before carrying out a sex act on her.

Swansea Crown Court heard details of a statement from the woman in which she described the devastating emotional and psychological impact of the attack. She also described the "indignity'" of having to give evidence at her trial in front of strangers and of having her integrity challenged in court.

The court heard the assault happened in November last year at a caravan park on Gower. In the early hours of the morning the defendant knocked on the door of the victim's caravan and the woman, thinking there was some kind of problem on the site, got out of bed to see what was going on. The court heard the woman then tried to close the door on Birmingham, 47, but he pushed his way inside. During the course of the subsequent assault the defendant threw and pushed the woman around the caravan before sexually assaulting her.

In an impact statement read to the court the woman said he replays the attack over and over again in her head and said she cannot help but wonder whether it was somehow her fault. She said there is not a part of her which does not believe Birmingham was trying to rape her that night, and she said she now sees herself as a victim of a sexual assault and she feels she will never be the person she used to be. She said the Gower incident had "devastated" her life. The woman also described the "indignity" of having to go through a trial and relive the attack in front of strangers and of having her integrity challenged.

James Birmingham, of Pentregethin Road, Cwmbwrla, Swansea, had previously been convicted at trial of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and sexual assault when he returned to the dock for sentencing. He has previous convictions for motoring matters.

Hilary Roberts, for Birmingham, said "thoughtful and constructive" references before the court showed the defendant was well-regarded by people who knew him and showed he was not somebody who usually behaved in the way he had done on the night in question. He said a sentence of immediate custody would be "catastrophic" for the defendant, for his teenage son, and for his employment and he invited the court to consider suspending the custodial sentence that was due.

Judge Geraint Walters said after gaining entry to the caravan Birmingham had used "pretty relentless violence" and had thrown the woman around the caravan "like a rag doll" before sexually assaulting her. He said he had no doubt alcohol had played its part in the "hugely unpleasant" offending. Birmingham was sentenced to three 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.

Description

A Swansea man has been jailed after being found guilty of multiple child sex offences.

44-year-old Christopher Norris, from Clydach, has been found guilty of two counts of sexual assault, one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child.

He has today been sentenced to thirty months in prison, and has been made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). He is also subject of a restraining order against the victim for five years. He will remain on the sexual offenders register for life.

Detective Constable Joanne Williams said:

Christopher Norris is a highly dangerous individual who preyed upon his child victim with absolutely no regard for their wellbeing.

I commend the bravery of the victim in reporting Christopher Norriss actions, which was instrumental in helping bring him to justice.

I hope this sentence brings some comfort to the victim and their family, all of whom have been through a harrowing ordeal.

Description

A former PhD student has been jailed for conspiring to commit female genital mutilation (FGM) against a young girl in the first conviction of its kind in England and Wales.

Emad Kaky, 47, from Swansea, arranged for the child to travel from the UK to Iraq where he had organised for her to be subjected to FGM and forced into marriage.

Before the crimes could be carried out, Kaky’s plans were uncovered by a witness who arranged for the victim to travel back to the UK and reported him to the police.

Kaky was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit FGM and forced marriage, which he denied. He was convicted on 9 September after a ten-day trial at Nottingham Crown Court and was today sentenced to four and a half years’ imprisonment.

Janine McKinney, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, said: “Today, Emad Kaky has faced the consequences of his actions in trying to get a young, innocent girl subjected to female genital mutilation and to be forced into a marriage not of her choosing.

“Had he succeeded in his plans, this child would have suffered unimaginable physical and mental harm.

“During the trial we presented evidence that the defendant considered this behaviour to be normal. The law is clear that there is no place for this unacceptable practice in society and the Crown Prosecution Service, police and other law enforcement agencies will work together to bring perpetrators to justice.

“This has been a landmark prosecution, not just because it is the first conviction of its kind, but for the message it sends to people who may be vulnerable to this horrific form of abuse. Where there is evidence that people have plotted to commit these offences, they face prosecution, whether or not they succeed.”

Building the Case

Before the trial, the defence team put forward a legal argument for dismissal, so the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had to show that FGM is a criminal offence in Iraq.

We also had to demonstrate that, as part of the conspiracy to commit FGM, Kaky had committed an act in England and Wales, where they have jurisdiction to prosecute.

Instructing a legal expert in the law of Iraq, our prosecutors were able to point to an area of the Iraqi penal code which outlined it as an offence – resulting in the defence dropping their argument and the case being able to proceed.

Proving that Kaky had committed an act in England and Wales as part of the conspiracy, prosecutors presented evidence that showed he had booked and paid for the trip to Iraq while living in Nottingham.

Messages retrieved from his phone showed Kaky clearly intended for the victim to be subjected to FGM and forced into marriage. He went on to defend his actions when a witness challenged him, calling FGM and forced marriage “normal”.

To further help the jury understand what FGM involves, the prosecution secured evidence from a cultural expert, who gave evidence about the practices and the physical and psychological harm it can inflict on victims.

It is the first time a person in England and Wales has been convicted of conspiring to commit FGM.

During the sentencing, the prosecution made submissions that, although the plan ultimately failed, the case should be sentenced on the basis of the harm that Kaky intended to do to the victim by arranging for FGM to take place.

Description

A convicted sex offender claimed to be a teacher and sent pictures of his penis to someone he thought was a 12-year-old girl, a court has heard. In fact Timothy Edwards was communicating with an undercover police officer.

Swansea Crown Court heard Edwards used a false name and a picture of a cat in his online profile - a picture which turned out to be a snap of the family cat which had been taken in the conservatory of the family home. The court also heard the defendant began sending sexual messages and images to the online cop just weeks after being handed a suspended prison sentence for possession of images of children being sexually abused.

Alycia Carpanini, prosecuting, said in May, 2024, Edwards was given a sentence of eight months in prison suspended for two years and was made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) after being convicted of making indecent images of children. As part of the order the defendant must notify police about any internet-enabled devices he owns, and he is prohibited form having social media accounts or online profiles in any name other than Timothy Edwards or an alternative that has not been approved by his offender manager.

The court heard that in June this year Edwards initiated contact with a profile purporting to be that of a 12-year-old girl on the networking platform Kik. The defendant had the username ThomWayne500 and his profile picture was of a black cat. The defendant began chatting to the "girl" and said he was a teacher from Bristol and said he was glad it was the school summer holidays. When the girl asked him if he was a teacher at her school Edwards said no, and said he would remember teaching a "cute young lady" like her.

The court heard the defendant then began making "suggestive" comments to the decoy and asking for pictures, and told her if she sent him a rude photo he would send one back. The prosecutor said Edwards then sent the decoy pictures of his erect penis - one showing him having just ejaculated - and sent her a series of sexual messages during which he said he wished he was her teacher and said he would give her private sex education lessons. The decoy send Edwards a picture of a girl in a shirt and stripped school-type tie and the defendant responded by calling her beautiful and saying he wanted to unbutton her shirt. He asked her for a selfie which he could use as a background picture on his phone ,and asked her for pictures of her in her bra and for topless snaps. For the latest court reports, sign up to our crime newsletter here

The court heard that on the morning of August 15 police officers went to the defendant's home address in Swansea and arrested him. After being cautioned the defendant said: "There is a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra in the house and my wife knows where it is". Officers located and seized the mobile and on it found an email account in the name of ThomWayne500 which contained emails from the Kik, Telegram and Instagram platforms. The court heard the black cat depicted in the Kik profile Edwards was using appeared to be a snap of the Edwards' family cat taken in the conservatory at his home address. The court also heard that details in the background of the penis pictures which the defendant sent to the decoy were consistent with them having been taken in his bedroom at the property. The Samsung phone itself had not previously been disclosed to the police.

Edward Timothy, aged 24, of Cwmgelli Road, Morriston, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to breaching a sexual harm prevention, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child - the charge is one of attempt as no real child was involved - and sending a photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has one previous conviction for three offences of making - that is possessing - indecent images of categories A, B and C.

With credit for his guilty pleas Edwards was sentenced to 15 months in prison for the new offences and recorder Greg Bull KC activated the previously imposed eight month sentence in full to run consecutively making an overall sentence of 23 months in prison. A new 10-year sexual harm prevention order was imposed - albeit it an order with same terms as the previous one - and the defendant will be a registered sex offender for the next 10 years.

Description

A man from Swansea has been handed an extended jail sentence for numerous offences including two counts of attempted rape.

20-year-old Leo Payne, from Bonymaen, was convicted of two counts of attempted rape against two separate victims, as well as one count each of sexual assault, indecent exposure, and GBH.

He has this week been handed an extended sentence of 16 years in prison, of which 11 years and three months is custodial.

Description

A dad unwittingly took a prolific paedophile on holiday with his family. The parent was left "physically shaking" after finding out the man he had invited along was in fact a "devious" serial sex offender.

Andrew Priday, 61, had secretly obtained a passport and used it to go on a trip to Europe with the family in question, who knew nothing of his past.

He had lied about his real identity to the woman he was marrying and her family. The details emerged during a hearing a Swansea Crown Court, with his crimes described as "determined and devious".

Priday, who has already served two lengthy prison terms for child sex offences, was sentenced to 32 months behind bars for his latest offence.

The Mirror reports Leuan Rees, prosecuting, said that in 2005 Priday was given an extended 11-year sentence at Swansea Crown Court and made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

He was also put on the sex offenders register for life for a string of child sex offences, with part of the conditions for the order being he had to inform the police of any passports he has.

He was also told to tell police of any holiday plans at least a week before they leave. The court heard that in January 2021, Priday applied for and obtained a passport.

But during subsequent annual registration declarations he lied to police and said he did not have one. The court heard that in June this year a family with a child who knew him - but were unaware of his previous convictions - booked a holiday to Bulgaria.

As an afterthought they invited Priday to join them for the final week of their break. Priday flew from Cardiff Airport on June 17 and spent seven days at the family's holiday apartment.

Priday was also found to have a phone in his possession, a device he had not informed police about. The father of the holidaying family later told police he felt "sick" and was "physically shaking" when he learned of Priday's past convictions.

Priday had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and three counts of failing to abide by the requirements of the sex offenders registration scheme when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.

He has 12 previous convictions for 71 offences between 1997 and 2005, including 12 convictions for sexual offences. In 1995 he was sentenced to seven years in prison at Cardiff Crown Court for indecent assault of a child and gross indecency with a child.

In 2005 he was given an 11-year extended sentence as a dangerous offender for indecent assault of a child, sexual activity with a child, making indecent images, and possessing indecent images.

He also has convictions from Kent in 2002 for breaching the terms of the sex offenders register, for gaining pecuniary advantage by false pretences - failing to declare his past convictions when applying for a job.

He also made false statements about his offending history to his then wife-to-be when applying for a marriage licence. Andrew Evans, speaking for Priday, said there was no suggestion of inappropriate behaviour during the holiday.

But he accepted his client had 'faltered' on his requirements. Judge Geraint Walters said Priday seemed to have "given up on any pretence" of complying with the requirements of the sex offenders register and Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

He said the reality was his breaches were "determined and devious". With a one-third discount for his guilty pleas Priday was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.

He will serve up to half of that period in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder of his sentence in the community.

Description

A man sexually assaulted and raped his partner while she was asleep, a court has heard. Daniel Blight even stopped during the assault to take a sick selfie photo.

The victim only realised the full extent of what had happened when she checked CCTV footage from her house. Blight has been jailed for seven years and the victim, Sarah Jones, has waived her legal anonymity to talk about what happened to her in her own home, a place she says she should have felt safe.

Swansea Crown Court heard the attack took place at Miss Jones' home in Aberdare in August 2022 while she and Blight were spending the evening together. After Miss Jones fell asleep on the sofa in the living room the defendant took the opportunity to sexually assault and rape her, taking an intimate selfie of himself as he did so. The court heard when Miss Jones awoke she was unaware of what had happened and the couple went to bed. Later that night she caught sight of the selfie on her boyfriend's phone and realised something was not right.

The next day after Blight had gone to work Miss Jones checked footage from the Hive CCTV camera in her living room - although trained on the inside of the front door, the camera also covered the sofa. It was then the 39-year-old coffee shop worker saw her boyfriend and assaulted had raped her while she was asleep. Talking after the sentencing she said: "I couldn't believe what I was watching. This was somebody I trusted. I was asleep in my own home. I should have been safe. It was such a massive abuse of trust. He was my partner and he claimed to love me."

Miss Jones said she phoned Blight to confront him about what happened, and he at first claimed she had been awake during the incident, then that he thought she was awake, and then finally admitted he knew she was asleep. Miss Jones ended the relationship but said the pair kept in touch over the following months while she encouraged Blight to have counselling as he "clearly had issues with sex". She said the pair briefly resuming their relationship at the end of 2022 but following another incident of an intimate nature the victim ended the relationship for good and reported the earlier assault to the police.

Daniel Blight, aged 37, of Buckingham Road, Bonymaen, Swansea, pleaded not guilty and at trial at Swansea Crown Court claimed he believed he had implied consent for sex with his partner. The jury convicted him of two counts of sexual assault by penetration and one count of rape. The defendant has one previous conviction for 13 offences of possession of indecent images from 2012 for which he was given a community order.

In mitigation barrister David Leathley said the defendant was "slavishly in a state of devotion" in regards to Miss Jones who was "the divinity he was worshiping". He said in his client's mind what he did on the night in question was "an act of worship" towards his partner. The barrister described the case as "truly bizarre" and said his client had been a "crass idiot" to act in the way he did.

Judge Huw Rees said a pre-sentence report on the defendant explored his "preoccupation" with sex which was a "predominant factor" in his life.. Blight was sentenced to seven years in prison comprising seven years for rape and four years for each of the sexual assaults all to run concurrently. He will serve two-thirds of that sentence 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 1o-year restraining order banning him from contacting his former partner either directly or indirectly.

Miss Jones said the rape at the hands of someone she trusted has had a massive impact on her life. "If I'm honest I'm still trying to fully process what happened. It has affected my trust in everyone, and I feel so anxious and vulnerable. I used to be very sociable and enjoyed going out with friends, now I tend to avoid mixing with people. I'm worried about what the future may hold. How can I have trust in a future relationship? Invite someone into my house again?

"Waiting for the trial made my anxiety worse. I believe he [Blight] thought I would be too embarrassed to go through with the trial, too embarrassed to have the CCTV footage shown to a room of strangers. What he did to me can't be undone but if I can stop him doing it to anyone else I have to do it. What happened will stay with me for a long time - perhaps for the rest of my life. Hopefully with the conviction I can begin to move on."

Speaking after the sentencing South Wales Police detective constable Elizabeth Picton said: "Daniel Blight preyed upon his victim when they were completely helpless, but was crucially caught on camera in critical evidence for his conviction. At South Wales Police we relentlessly pursue the perpetrators of sexual offences and ensure that the victims receive justice. It takes great bravery for a victim to report a sexual offence, and this behaviour will never be tolerated."