PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS
AMANIPULATIVE and evil paedophile whose sexual abuse of young girls spanned over 25 years insulted his victims and refused to leave his cell when being sentenced.
Pensioner John Kelly, 73, of Bridgend, showed no remorse after being convicted of rape and a number sexual and indecent assaults in which he subjected underage girls to degrading abuse and a feeling of hopelessness that no one would believe them.
A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday heard Kelly had told prison officers when they came to his cell he was “not aware of any court case he was involved in”.
Kelly raped his first victim and groped her on two occasions, once after the victim had told her family about the abuse and had been disbelieved.
Sentencing, Judge Daniel Williams said: “Your twin objectives were to satisfy your sexual appetite and to reassert your power over (the victim). Whatever she said or disclosed, you would be believed and would carry on as you liked...
“The defendant is terribly manipulative and guilt in this case should lie with the defendant and no one but the defendant. He of course feels no such thing.”
The awful details of his abuse were read aloud in full in court. WalesOnline has decided not to print them because of their graphic nature.
His victims said the abuse they suffered had ruined their lives.
In a victim personal statement read to the court, the first victim said: “I’ve felt the actions of John Kenny has dictated my life path.
“I was young, innocent and impressionable when he started to sexually abuse me and raped me... He took my innocence and virginity and forced me to do things through fear and confusion...
“I had flashbacks, I tried my best to get on with life but during lockdown there was significant difficulty and what was done to me as a child always and still comes flooding back.”
The second victim said she struggles to walk alone and is frightened to go out in the dark in case someone is following her.
She was also frightened about seeing Kelly and never wants to see him again.
The victim also described bursting into tears when a video about sexual assault was shown in her school.
The third victim said she suffered with stress during the court process and now struggles to open up to anyone.
As a result of the stress she has begun self-harming to take her mind off what Kelly did to her. She also said she never wants to see the defendant again.
Judge Williams added: “The effects on three (of the victims) has been considerable and I have read the victim personal statements about the harm each of them has suffered which is uncalcuable and may never be understood.
“The defendant has no remorse. He blames the victims of his offending and not only blames them but insults them as he did in his interview with police.”
Kenny, of Lon y Cariadon, North Cornelly, was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment.
He will serve two thirds of his sentence and will serve an extra year on licence. He was also made subject to notification requirements and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.