Man who abused young girls given 24-year term
A MAN who spent years sexually abusing two young vulnerable girls has been made the subject of an extended sentence as a dangerous offender.
James Thomas carried out a prolonged “campaign of rape” against one young girl and sexually assaulted another.
Thomas, aged 42, denied a total of 21 offences, but was convicted following a trial at Swansea Crown Court.
The court heard victim statements from the two young girls he abused in which they detailed the psychological impact the sexual offending had on their lives, including feeling scared around men, feeling isolated, suffering with nightmares and flashbacks, and resorting to self-harming to mask the emotional pain.
As victims of sexual offences, the females have lifelong legal anonymity.
James Thomas, of Mansel Street, Carmarthen, had previously been convicted of nine counts of rape of a child under 13, two of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and 10 of sexual assault of a child under 13 at trial in March.
He returned to the dock for sentencing yesterday. He has no previous convictions.
Ian Ibrahim, for Thomas, said his client faced a sentence that would change his life for ever.
He said the defendant had always worked hard, mainly in the car industry, to provide for his family and in recent years had experienced the deaths of both parents.
Judge Catherine Richards told Thomas he had targeted and manipulated two young and vulnerable girls and subjected one to what could properly be called a “campaign of rape”.
She said that having heard all the evidence in the case and having read a presentence report on the defendant, she was satisfied that he posed a significant risk of committing further sexual offences against young girls and that an extended sentence was necessary to protect the public.
Thomas was given a 24-year extended sentence, comprising 22 years in custody followed by a two-year licence period.
He must serve two-thirds of the custodial element of the sentence before he can apply for release – but it will be for the Parole Board to determine if he is safe to be returned to the community.
He will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.
Speaking after the sentencing, Mandy Tobias, district crown prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Rape is a harrowing crime that has a devastating effect on the victim.
“Thomas repeatedly abused two children to satisfy his own desires and now he will answer for his crimes thanks to the courage the children have shown in speaking out.”