Child sex abuse accused ‘devastated’ by allegations

A MAN accused of sexually abusing a child repeatedly told a court he was “devastated” when she made the allegations.

Gareth Jones, 49, from Cardiff, denies five counts of sex abuse.

Giving evidence from the witness box on the third day of his trial at Cardiff Crown Court, he said one of his remarks had been “taken out of context”.

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, alleged Jones kissed her and touched her inappropriately.

She first made the allegations on October 3 last year and Jones was interviewed by police the next day.

He told the interviewing officer: “All I can say is that nothing happened. I’m stunned. I have no idea where this has come from.”

Jones, from Llys Tudful in Creigiau, Cardiff, went on to say he was “heartbroken”.

He accepted pinching the complainant’s bottom, but told officers he would do that to friends – both male and female – as a “joke” intended to make them jump.

Questioned about whether he considered that behaviour to be appropriate, he replied: “It’s just funny.”

He stated he thought it was a gesture that could be friendly and affectionate.

Asked if he got sexual gratification from children, he replied: “No.”

The court heard Jones used to work as a motor mechanic.

Giving evidence, he accepted kissing the girl on the cheek, but denied kissing her in any other way and stated any physical contact between them was “nothing out of the ordinary”.

Nigel Fryer, prosecuting, asked about his sense of humour and enjoyment of sexual innuendos.

Jones disagreed his behaviour was flirtacious, adding: “It’s very mild stuff.”

Questioned about how he felt when the allegations of sexual abuse were made, he said: “Devastated, obviously.”

In a written statement, the complainant’s father said she was “crying hysterically” when she made the allegations.

He added she was “distraught” as she told him Jones touched her “down there”.

Another family member said the girl was “really upset”.

She added: “She was sat on the floor with her knees up to her chest sobbing. I can only describe it as raw emotion. I tried to console her.”

Jones denies all the charges against him.

The trial, before a jury of eight men and four women, continues.