Welsh politician’s son jailed for rape
ASENIOR politician’s son assaulted a vulnerable woman by hitting her repeatedly with a leather spanking paddle, leaving her covered in bruises before raping her. Jonathan Drakeford, the son of Welsh Labour leadership frontrunner and Cardiff West AM Mark Drakeford, denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm and rape but was found guilty by a jury.
In a personal statement read out at Cardiff Crown Court, the victim said: “The effect this rape has had on my life is huge.”
Clare Wilks, prosecuting, said the incident occurred in November 2016. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was in her early twenties.
The court heard Jonathan Drakeford repeatedly “spanked” her with a leather paddle, causing her “significant
bruising”. In his sentencing remarks, Judge Jonathan Furness QC noted: “She was protesting that she did not want it to happen.”
The court heard the defendant “humiliated” the woman by making her stand in a corner gagged with her own underwear. The judge noted there was additional degradation and humiliation.
Judge Furness said: “She was obviously upset giving evidence to the police.”
The victim said the incident has affected her mental and emotional health. She added: “I have trouble sleeping because of flashbacks. I wake up thinking I can see him. I struggle going outside because I am scared I will see him.”
She said the incident has affected her current relationship and she finds it difficult to trust people. The woman added she felt scared about coming forward and about giving evidence in case no-one believed her. She said: “The wait for the trial has made all the bad memories come back.”
Prosecutors argued aggravating features included the fact it was a sustained incident and there was a leather paddle used.
Drakeford admitted attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence.
Prosecutors said he sent messages to a Facebook user he believed to be a 15-year-old girl from Sunderland between November 1 and 17, 2016.
Ms Wilks said: “They were making arrangements for her to travel to Cardiff.”
The court heard Jonathan Drakeford researched the price of train tickets and there were conversations about gagging and spanking.
Prosecutors said the “girl” was actually a member of a paedophile hunting group and reported the defendant to the police.
In his police interview, he denied sending the message and suggested his Facebook account must have been hacked.
Jonathan Drakeford, 31, from Fairwater, Cardiff, denied rape and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but was found guilty by a jury after trial.
He admitted attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence.
Nigel Fryer, defending, said he had no previous convictions or cautions and asked for credit for his client’s guilty plea to the one count.
The defence barrister said: “He is going to be incarcerated – that is going to have a massive impact on him.”
He referred the judge to medical reports, which found the defendant had a low IQ of 68 and a reading age of 10 years and two months.
The court heard he was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Mr Fryer said: “He is extremely vulnerable as a result of that.”
He said the defendant found prison to be an “alien environment” and has barely eaten since he was remanded in custody.
Judge Furness jailed him for eight years and eight months and imposed a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. An order was made for his phone and the leather paddle to be destroyed.
Following the conviction last week, Mark Drakeford, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, said in a statement: “This has been a distressing period for our family.
“Our thoughts are with all those caught up in it, especially the victim.
“There will be nothing further to add to this statement on this personal and private matter.”
Wendy Brady, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Jonathan Drakeford took advantage of this woman’s vulnerabilities to indulge his sexual fantasies. He carried out a series of cruel and degrading acts knowing she did not consent.”
The senior crown prosecutor added: “[We] would like acknowledge the strength of the victim in giving her evidence to the jury. These convictions are a direct result of her courage to do so.
“If you or someone you know is a victim of violence against women, domestic abuse or sexual violence, call the Live Fear Free helpline on 0808 8010 800. “
Detective Constable Alex Jenkins, from South Wales Police, said: “Sexual assault is one of the most traumatic and devastating experiences a person can suffer.”
He said the force is committed to providing a “first class service” to victims.
The officer-in-the-case added: “[We] urge anyone who has been the victim of any kind of sexual abuse or assault to come forward, safe in the knowledge that they will be treated with respect and dignity by officers.”
He encouraged survivors of any form of sexual violence, recently or in the past, to access support via www.rapecrisis.co.uk