Paedophile who showed ‘no remorse’ jailed for 14 years

A former mechanic who showed no remorse after being found guilty by a jury of repeatedly sexually abusing a child has been jailed.

Gareth Jones pleaded not guilty to three counts of assault by penetration, one of sexual assault, and one of sexual activity with a child but was convicted after a three-day trial.

Sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Thomas Crowther QC told the defendant: “You continue to blame everyone but yourself for your predicament.”

The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told police the abuse happened up to 20 times.

Opening the case last month, prosecutor Nigel Fryer said the child was “extremely upset” when she made the allegations. She told police the offending occurred “out of the blue” and she found the defendant’s behaviour “confusing”.

Jones was arrested on October 3, 2016, and said he was “horrified” when the allegations were put to him.

He told officers: “I do not know why she has made these allegations up.”

Jones, 50, from Llys Tudful in Creigiau, Cardiff, denied the charges but was found guilty on all counts.

Prosecutors said he had a caution for common assault dating back to 2005.

Judge Crowther told the defendant: “You show no remorse.”

He noted Jones described the victim as a “blubbering young girl” and criticised the special measures granted to make her feel more comfortable giving evidence in court.

Jones was jailed for 14 years and Judge Crowther made a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.