‘Utterly depraved’ paedophile filmed himself abusing victim
ADEPRAVED elderly paedophile raped and sexually assaulted a girl while filming the abuse.
The ordeal left the girl contemplating suicide.
Roger Stapleton, 75, of Llantrisant, carried out a campaign of horrific sexual crimes against the victim, who was of primary school age when the abuse began. He raped the girl on multiple occasions and sexually assaulted her while she was holding a baby.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard the defendant possessed videos of himself raping and sexually assaulting the victim.
When he first abused the victim, he told her: “It’s okay, this is normal.”
Stapleton told her not to tell anyone what he was doing to her and groomed her by giving her money and alcohol.
The offences came to light after a Facebook friend of the defendant asked for a police background check
after inappropriate pictures of halfdressed teenagers appeared on his Facebook feed. This led to the victim reporting the matter to the police in 2023.
Prosecutor James Wilson said when Stapleton first raped the victim she was in pain, but could not scream out as the defendant placed his hands over her mouth.
Stapleton walked off “as if nothing happened”. He then went on to rape the victim on four other occasions
Judge Paul Hopkins KC said: “I just have to reflect on the enormity of the depravity in this case. It’s an appalling case.”
A number of cameras were subsequently seized by police, including multiple camera and memory cards on which were stored videos of Stapleton raping and sexually assaulting the victim.
In total, there were 13 Category A images, 29 Category B images and 26 Category C images.
The defendant had also made search terms including “teen porn”.
The defendant was also found to have made internet searches for a phone message tracker app and had a diary in which he made reference to having sex with the victim.
Stapleton, of Llantrisant Business Park, was arrested and pleaded guilty to five counts of rape, one count of assaulting a child by penetration, six counts of sexual assault, and three counts of making indecent images.
Judge Hopkins said: “He had no choice but to plead guilty. Even though the evidence was overwhelming, I am still required to give him full credit although he had no alternative.”
In a personal statement read to the court, the victim said: “My mental health got so bad I started to selfharm and cut my arms or legs every day and started thinking about ending my life.
“I began to plan ending my life but never went through with it. It made me feel I didn’t deserve to live anymore and didn’t feel like I was good enough. I felt that was the reason I was alive – so he could do things to me and that was all I was good for.
“I constantly blamed myself for what he did, although none of this was my fault and I realise that now. I felt isolated, lonely, angry and illequipped to handle these feelings or do anything about them.
“He ruined my life and because of it I didn’t get to enjoy my childhood and teenage years as much as I should have. I should have been out with my friends all the time but I spent my time crying and self-harming in my room, wondering what I had done to deserve this. He ruined my childhood but I won’t let him ruin my future.”
In mitigation, Georgina Buckley referred to her client’s age and said the defendant suffered with health complaints including high blood pressure, circulation problems, poor mobility, onset of cataracts, diabetes and problems with his kidneys. She also said he does not have any similar previous convictions.
Sentencing, Judge Hopkins said: “The facts of this case are utterly depraved and appalling... By way of your depravity, you stole a large part of the complainant’s childhood. You used deviant grooming methods to make sure the complainant wouldn’t report you for your behaviour.”
Stapleton was sentenced to a total of 15 years’ imprisonment, of which he will serve two-thirds before he can be considered for parole.
He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order indefinitely.
For confidential support the Samaritans can be contacted for free around the clock 365 days a year on 116 123.