ADAM EDEN FROM NANTGLYN INVOLVED IN SEXUAL OFFENSES AT DENBIGH'S ABANDONED HOSPITAL

In December 2014, a disturbing case emerged involving Adam Eden, also known as Adam Lloyd, a young man from Nantglyn, near Denbigh, who became entangled in a serious criminal matter involving an underage girl. The incident unfolded after Eden, a university student studying sports development, engaged in a series of inappropriate online interactions with a 14-year-old girl he met through Facebook.

According to court reports, the girl, who was encouraged by her friends to communicate with Eden, appeared to be a willing participant in their online exchanges. However, she later expressed feelings of being used and exploited, highlighting the emotional impact of the encounter. Eden, aged 21 at the time, resided at Maes LLiwen in Nantglyn and was known for his involvement in amateur sprinting and coaching young athletes.

The court was informed that Eden had told the girl he had recently ended a relationship with his girlfriend. Following their online conversations, which included exchanging intimate images, the pair agreed to meet in person. The meeting took place at a disused hospital site in Denbigh, a location that provided a secluded setting for their encounter. It was during this meeting that sexual activity occurred, with no condom used, and the girl, who claimed to be 15, had arranged to take the morning-after pill afterward.

Prosecutors revealed that Eden had requested sex from the girl, and she consented, believing she was of an appropriate age. Nonetheless, the court emphasized that her age rendered her incapable of legally consenting to sexual activity, and Eden’s actions were deemed a serious breach of the law designed to protect minors. The judge, Merfyn Hughes QC, noted that the girl and Eden had exchanged explicit images and had planned to meet the following night, which they did. The judge also pointed out that while she consented to the sexual act, this did not mitigate the illegality of her being under the age of consent.

Further details revealed that Eden had been arrested in January of the previous year, but there was an unexplained delay in bringing him to trial. Despite this, the court acknowledged that Eden had no prior convictions and that the age difference between him and the girl was not significant. His failure to be fully honest with police was noted, but it was also recognized that he had avoided subjecting the girl and her friends to the ordeal of giving evidence in court.

In sentencing, Eden received a 12-month prison sentence, which was suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid community service. Additionally, he was mandated to register as a sex offender for ten years and was disqualified from working with children in any capacity. This last measure was particularly significant given Eden’s role as a football coach for young children, a position from which he was now barred.

The prosecution, led by barrister Karl Scholz, detailed how the girl had come into contact with Eden through mutual friends on Facebook. An incident was described where a friend of the girl sent Eden a message pretending to be her, inviting him to have sex. The girl then engaged in a webcam session with Eden, during which she removed her top, and it was alleged that Eden showed her his penis. The following night, they arranged to meet at the grounds of the former Denbigh mental hospital, a secluded area suitable for their encounter.

During the meeting, Eden and the girl engaged in sexual intercourse. The girl later contacted Eden’s girlfriend via Facebook to inform her of what had transpired, feeling used and betrayed. She also confided in her mother, who confronted Eden directly. The police were subsequently involved, leading to Eden’s arrest and subsequent court proceedings. This case underscores the importance of safeguarding minors from exploitation and highlights the legal consequences faced by those who breach these protections.