Steven Ronald Williams 59

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Released

A Milford Haven man was jailed for 17 years yesterday (Monday) for a string of rapes and other sex offences.

Steven Ronald Williams, aged 45, was found guilty of 16 counts of rape, four counts of indecency with a child and four counts of indecent assault, at Cardiff crown court on December 15th.

Williams, of Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven was formerly the licensee or manager of several pubs in the Newport, Gwent area.

He denied all the offences, which took place over a number of years.

Judge Neil Bidder QC said Williams posed a high risk of serious harm to children and ordered that he be imprisoned for the publics protection.

He must serve a minimum of eight-and-a-half years before being considered for parole.

During the trial jurors saw footage of the victims interviews in which she said she was first raped when she was a child.

The girl said Williams told her nobody would believe her if she told anyone.

Prosecutor Jennet Treharne, said that at the age of 13 Williams was given a two year supervision order for inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency.

He also had a caution in 2006 for battery.

Mary Parry-Evans, defending, said Williams was someone who struggled with the complexities of life and said he would face real difficulties if he did not get the help he needed.

She said he would continue to deny the offences, which was likely to delay his release on parole, and asked Judge Bidder QC not to impose an indeterminate sentence.

Judge Bidder QC described Williams as determined, dishonest and cunning and said the damage he had done to the victim was unfathomable.

You show absolutely no remorse, he said. I have no doubt that this terrible and protracted abuse had a significant effect on the victim her poor school attendance, drinking and self harm can be laid to your abuse of her.