Description
A Wrexham rapist told his victim to kept quiet after attacking her against her will. "Arrogant" David Sam Jones had thought he was going to get away with his crimes but almost a decade later, he has now been brought to justice.
Jones, originally from the Wrexham area, was handed more jail time at Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday afternoon (June 2) having admitted to raping a woman in January 2015. Patrick Gartland, prosecuting, told the court Jones had forced himself on the woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.
Jones, aged 22 at the time, ignored that the young woman had already rejected his sexual advances and "climbed on top of her" regardless, pinning her down by the wrists. The court heard how the woman "froze" with fear during the attack.
The defendant then coldly told her: "Just let me" when she begged him to stop. Jones told his victim not to tell anyone about what had happened that night. However, he later sent her a laughing-faced emoji, the court heard, and claimed he had "done nothing wrong" in messages exchanged after the attack
Jones' victim never reported the incident because she initially "feared she would not be believed". However, she later found the strength to face her abuser after he had been convicted of raping another woman that same year.
The court was told briefly how Jones was locked up after committing the horrific crime in October 2015 where he "forcibly and violently" attacked the woman in her car, said Mr Gartland. He also has a "historic sexual offence" on his record from when he was a youth, said the prosecutor.
In an emotional statement read out to the court, the woman spoke about how she lives "with a daily sense of fear", which has caused her to shut out friends and family members. The lasting impact of the crime has left the victim suffering nightmares, she said.
Oliver King, defending, said he could make no excuses for his client's actions. He asked that the judge considered giving him some credit for owning up - albeit at such a late stage in court proceedings - as it spared the woman from having to return to court for a trial which would "no doubt have been a distressing experience".
He added: "It is significant that he has been in custody continuously now since 2016, because that's allowed him to reflect on what he's done. He told probation that he had a sense of entitlement to these women - that's how he felt at the time - but he now recognises that's wrong."
Jones, who was initially set to remain locked up until at least 2026, had seven more years added onto his sentence by Recorder Wyn Lloyd Jones. That jail term is set to be followed by four years on license. He told the defendant: "You thought you'd got away with it. In a totally arrogant fashion, and not long after, you committed a second rape and a host of other offences.
He branded Jones a "dangerous offender" and a "blatant liar", who first claimed to have an alibi when he attacked the woman. The judge added: "I haven't read anything that gives me any confidence you're sorry or remorseful for what you have done."
A lifelong restraining order was granted by the judge, who praised the woman's courage in coming forward. Jones was also added onto the sex offenders register permanently.
After the sentencing, Investigating officer DC Jennie Ribbons-Steen said: “Jones’ crimes have spanned over a number of years. He is a danger to society, and I have no doubt he would have gone on to continue to offend. I hope that today's sentence brings some measure of justice and healing to the victim, and highlights that time is never a barrier to investigating a crime and bringing someone to justice.”
Detective Inspector Chris Hargrave of the North Wales Amethyst Team added: “We continue to be committed to bringing sexual crimes to justice and I would encourage anyone who wishes to report a sexual crime to come forward and speak to us. The Amethyst team is made up of specially trained officers to support victims through the investigation.
"We work closely with the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) to provide confidential medical, practical and emotional support from specialist doctors, nurses and support workers". North Wales Police have further information on how to seek assistance as the victim of a rape, sexual assault and other sexual offence online.