Locations
Min-Y-Ddol, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57
Description
A young woman raped multiple times today said her childhood had been stolen from her but she is leaving the "darkness" behind. Osian Owen, now 28, raped the girl when she was under 13 and targeted another victim several years ago.
Mold Crown Court heard he had been found guilty of five counts of rape against the first victim after a trial last month. He was also convicted of causing or inciting the second girl, also aged under 13 at the time, to engage in sexual activity.
Today a judge branded the defendant, of Min y Ddol, Maesgeirchen, Bangor, as "depraved" and said he had shown no remorse for his crimes. At a sentencing hearing, prosecutor Joshua Gorst said the rape victim wanted to read out a statement about her ordeal herself.
The young woman, who cannot be named to protect her anonymity, said she was disbelieved until the truth came out. She said of Owen: "He stole my childhood (but) today I leave all the darkness, shame and burden with you.
"I will carry on - free from the shadows of your cruelty." The prosecutor read out a statement by the second victim, who cannot be named either.
In it she said Owen had made her feel disgusted and dirty and it made her school life harder. She added: "It was a horrible secret to keep."
It was so long ago she didn't think anyone would believe her but she eventually felt able to speak out as an older teenager. "This made her a stronger version of herself. I could stop being your victim and leave the past behind," she added.
Gareth Bellis, defending, said Owen was a much younger person when he committed his crimes over six months.
The judge His Honour Rhys Rowlands called the defendant "depraved" and said his behaviour had been shameful and wrong. He jailed Owen for four and a half years for each of five counts of raping a girl under 13, to run concurrently, and for six months for causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
He must sign the Sex Offender's Register indefinitely and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order. He was also handed a ten-year restraining order prohibiting him from contacting his victims.