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A WREXHAM man said there could be 'no excuse' for his 'abhorrent behaviour' as he was jailed for committing a string of sexual offences against a teenager.
Andrew Bell, 60, whose registered addresses are both the Blue Bell Inn and Plas Issa in Penycae, appeared before Mold Crown Court for sentencing on Monday, October 16, via videolink from HMP Berwyn.
He previously, when re-arraigned on the day a trial date was set, pleaded guilty to two out of nine counts of sexual assault on a male, having initially pleaded not guilty.
Simon Rogers, prosecuting, told the court that offences took place between 2013 and 2015, when Bell had befriended a then teenage boy.
Offences took place in both the UK and abroad, the court heard.
Bell and the complainant had been travelling in a van and had pulled over 'in the middle of nowhere' to sleep for the night.
Bell opened a bottle of wine which they both drank together.
Later on that night, the complainant fell asleep in his sleeping bag but was awoken when he 'felt a hand down his pants' and Bell carried out what was his first assault.
Mr Rogers said the complainant said he 'froze' during the incident and said he felt 'isolated' and 'scared'.
The court heard there were 'many incidents' carried out in this way by Bell in 'various vehicles and locations' during the course of two years of offending.
It happened 'almost every time they had a drink', Mr Rogers added, with the complainant adding that Bell was the 'nicest man in the world' otherwise when sober.
On another occasion, the complainant went to sleep on a sofa. Later that night, Bell went into the room and knelt down by the complainant, before 'touching' him under the covers.
Bell was arrested and gave a 'no comment' interview in June 2020.
The court heard that he had previously been sentenced to 14 years in prison for the sexual abuse of children, aged between 9 and 16 years old, in 2002.
The complainant was in court to read out a victim personal statement as Bell was sentenced.
He told the court that the incidents had left him feeling 'ashamed and embarrassed' and had 'hugely affected' his parents.
The statement added: "Someone I thought I could trust betrayed me in the worst possible way."
Bell was also given the opportunity to read out a letter via the videolink in court.
He said: "There can be no excuse for my abhorrent behaviour. "
Bell added that the complainant 'never encouraged' his behaviour and apologised for the 'damage', 'anguish' and 'emotional turmoil' he had caused.
Jane Greenhalgh defending said: "The other side to him is the kind man that is liked by many people."
Recorder Simon Mills said Bell was 'clearly capable of changing in a predatory way' when his 'inhibitions had been lowered by drink'.
Bell was sentenced to eight years in jail and was also made subject to an indefinite restraining order and Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
Recorder Mills stated that, should Bell offend again in future, then a life sentence could be imposed.
Following sentencing, Detective Inspector Chris Hargrave of the North Wales Amethyst Team said: “The victim in this case has been incredibly brave in reporting these matters to us.
“His determination to ensure that the offender was correctly brought to justice was motivated by a desire to ensure others are not placed at further risk of abuse.
“No sentence can ever undo the harm caused, but I hope this sentence today brings some measure of justice and healing to the victim.
“We continue to be committed to bringing perpetrators of sexual crimes to justice and I would encourage anyone who wishes to report a sexual crime to come forward and speak to us”.