Locations
David Street, Malltraeth, Bodorgan, LL62
Description
A paedophile who preyed on an eight-year-old girl promised her chocolate in exchange for her silence.
Terence Griffiths, from Moreton, abused the little girl over a period of one-and-a-half years, grooming and repeatedly sexually assaulting her. He told her to keep his actions a secret, and promised her chocolate in exchange for her silence - with a jar of Nutella being found in the bedroom of his home.
His vile secret was discovered when the girl told her mum the 58-year-old had been "kissing her weird", describing the act as "a full snog". She told her he had touched her breasts and private parts, and had shown her graphic videos of "ladies doing stuff to men".
After showing the girl a video of a woman performing a sex act. he told her: "I wish that was you."
He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for sentence today, October 25, after being found guilty of nine counts of sexual assault of a child, one count of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and one count of causing a child under 13 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity, last month. The court heard he continued to deny the offences, and had suggested the little girl "had been acting in an inappropriate sexual way."
Reading from a statement from the girl's mum, prosecutor Steven Swift said: "Before (daughter) confided in us what was happening we were a normal family going about our everyday lives. The disclosure was a complete shock and has affected every aspect of our lives, especially (daughter).
"(Daughter) frequently became upset at school and often the school would notify us at the end of the day. This would cause many sleepless nights, waiting to go back to school the following day.
"We worry about (our daughter's) future especially as a teenager when she begins to understand the full extent of what has happened to her. We worry future relationships and trust will be tainted."
David Polglase, defending, said: "(Griffiths) has various difficulties with mental health, various diagnoses that he has had and that he is awaiting. There's a neurological disorder, he has the shakes, he has COPD, he takes medication for anxiety and depression and there's a concern about a degree of risk of self harm."
Judge David Potter said: "It's quite clear to this court that (the girl) suffered significantly as a result of her disclosures. She became upset frequently, including at school, and to this day remains somewhat hesitant towards male figures.
"Your total offending was on no fewer than 30 occasions and some occasions will have included more than one type of sexual activity by you on (the girl). No doubt you are a dangerous offender."
He sentenced Griffiths, now of of David Street, Malltraeth, Bodorgan, to a total of 11 years in prison. He was also given a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, and will remain on the sex offenders register for life.