Leon Kidner 34

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Man jailed for 10 years for raping 15-year-old girl on family holiday in West Wales caravan

Leon Kidner, 34, of Castell Toch Caravan Park, Pendine, Carmarthenshire, was convicted at Swansea Crown Court of two counts of sexual assault by penetration and one count of rape.

The attack happened in a caravan on the site while the girl was on holiday with her family. Kidner had given her cannabis and knew she had been drinking alcohol. In the early hours he sexually assaulted and raped her; forensic examination later showed he had ejaculated inside her.

He lied to police and the jury, claiming the sex was consensual and had been initiated by the 15-year-old. The jury rejected his account.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the girl said the rape left her feeling “violated” and “like something was taken away from me”.

She added: 

“I struggle to sleep and suffer with nightmares… my schoolwork has suffered… I couldn’t really talk to anyone about what happened as nobody truly understands what I have been through… It has impacted all aspects of my life – my relationships with others, my education, my well-being, and how I see myself. I feel hollow and unstable. Every day feels like a struggle to feel normal again.”

Kidner has 34 previous convictions for 71 offences, including violence and robbery, but none of a sexual nature.

In mitigation, Lowri Wyn Morgan said her client was “deeply sorry” and accepted he faced a lengthy sentence. She told the court he had a troubled childhood, had been passed between family members, left school at 14, and that drink and drugs had dominated his adult life. He was now waiting to join the 12-Step addiction programme.

Judge Geraint Walters told Kidner the jury had rejected his account and that he now accepted his guilt. The judge said the “wickedness” of such offending “leaves a life-long scar” on victims and leaves them feeling violated.

Kidner was jailed for 10 years. He will remain on the sex offender register for life and was made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

After sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable Katie Rees of Dyfed-Powys Police said:

“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the victim in this case who showed profound courage from the very outset of the investigation, despite her young age.

“The victim showed immense strength, character and resilience… It is thanks to her bravery that Leon Kidner will now spend a significant period in prison.

“I welcome the sentence passed today, which highlights the seriousness of the offences. While it cannot undo the harm caused, it will hopefully provide the victim with a degree of closure.”