Jan 2007

Man faces jail for sex abuse

A GWENT man who sexually abused a girl faces a prison sentence.

A jury at Cardiff crown court found 40-year-old Jonathan Williams of River Row, Blaina, guilty by majority verdicts of 10 to two of two charges of sexual activity with a child and one charge of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

Sentence was adjourned until next month for reports and Williams was remanded on bail and ordered to register immediately as a sex offender.

He was also ordered to report to Abertillery police station twice a week and surrender his passport.

Judge William Gaskell warned him: “Expect a prison sentence.”

Prosecutor Peter Davies said that on January 4 last year Williams stood naked in front of the girl, who was under 16.

Mr Davies told the court Williams carried out an indecent act upon himself before sitting next to the girl and kissing her on the lips a number of times. After that, said Mr Davies, he indecently touched her.

The girl told the jury she was shocked and added: “I didn’t want those things to happen.”

She denied that the allegations were “all in her head.”

Williams insisted he had been “dumbstruck” when the allegations were made against him.

The court heard Williams had 38 convictions for offences including possessing drugs, assaulting police, handling stolen goods, burglary, shoplifting, affray, causing actual bodily harm and supplying drugs.