Ex-mayor facing jail sentence for child sex crimes

AFORMER mayor is facing a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of rape, sexual assault and indecent assault involving two young girls.

Pembrokeshire county councillor David Boswell was acquitted of a further three counts of indecent assault involving the same complainants.

The abuse, involving girls aged under nine, happened during the early 1990s.

The jury at Swansea Crown Court returned its verdicts on the first charges on Monday.

Yesterday morning, it also found him guilty on the one remaining count of indecent assault.

The 56-year-old former soldier, lorry driver, councillor and Pembroke mayor had denied all the charges against him.

He was convicted of a total of three counts of indecent assault, found not guilty of three more counts, and was convicted of a count of raping a girl aged under 10.

Boswell was elected as a Conservative county councillor for Pembroke St Mary North in May 2017.

He was suspended by the party after being charged by police.

Boswell was remanded into custody and will be sentenced on July 13.

Judge Keith Thomas told him that a prison sentence is inevitable and that the pre-sentence report will only address the type and length of the term of imprisonment.

An NSPCC Cymru spokesman said: “Despite holding positions of responsibility in his community, Boswell carried out horrific attacks on children and it is right that he is now facing the consequences of his appalling actions.

“His victims should be commended for their bravery at speaking out and reporting Boswell’s depraved offending. Abuse ruins childhoods and its effects last into adulthood.

“The victims will need help and support to overcome the trauma they have gone through as they continue to rebuild their lives.

“But this case shows once again that abuse survivors can be confident to come forward and report what has happened to them, knowing that they will be listened to and that justice can be achieved no matter how much time has passed.”

Any young person in need of help or advice can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk

Adults concerned about a child’s safety can contact the NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000 or nspcc.org.uk