SWANSEA MAN JAILED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND RAILWAY OFFENCES
A court has listened to poignant and courageous testimonies from a young girl and her mother following the sexual abuse inflicted by a 36-year-old man from Swansea, who subsequently forced them to endure the trauma of giving evidence at his trial in Cardiff Crown Court.During Monday’s sentencing hearing, the court learned that Ali Namjo had sexually assaulted the young girl, kissed her, and then denied any misconduct, leading him to contest the charges at trial.
After being found guilty by a jury, Namjo chose not to attend the sentencing hearing and did not hear the statements read aloud from the girl and her mother.
In his absence, the judge imposed an extended sentence, deeming him an offender of particular concern, and acknowledged that his actions had caused severe psychological trauma to his young victim.
The court heard that the incidents occurred in Cardiff when Namjo, who was under 10 at the time, sexually assaulted the girl multiple times and attempted to kiss her with tongues.
One assault took place in a wooded area.
The abuse was uncovered after Namjo assaulted a woman, which led to police involvement.
The girl’s mother read a statement to the court describing the profound effect Namjo’s acts had on her daughter, who was once a lively, confident young girl but has now become “a shell of what she was.” She suffers from nightmares and no longer feels safe around many males.
She even asked her mother to remove the TV from her bedroom over fears that Namjo was watching her through the screen.
The mother explained that her daughter’s world had been “shattered into a million pieces.” A statement from the girl, also read by her mother, expressed that Namjo had destroyed her life and made her feel disgusting, saying: “I hate him more than I hate red peppers and vegetables.” Namjo, residing on Elan Avenue in the Swansea area of Clase, had previously been convicted at trial of two counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, and assault by beating.
He also pleaded guilty to obstructing railway operations under the Malicious Damage Act 1861.
The court was told that the railway-related offense occurred when Namjo fled from police in the Wentloog area of Cardiff in June 2024, hiding in bushes near railway tracks, which delayed train services and caused costs of £45,000.
Additional convictions include charges of common assault, actual bodily harm, affray, and breaching restraining orders.
A pre-sentence report detailed Namjo’s background in Iran before he moved to the UK, describing his life as “by no means straightforward,” and noting that he had no prior sexual convictions.
Judge Shomon Khan stated that he was convinced Namjo’s actions had caused significant psychological harm to his young victim.
Namjo was sentenced to a total of 16 years’ imprisonment as a dangerous offender, comprising 15 years in custody and a one-year extended license period.
He may be eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of his custodial sentence, subject to parole board considerations.
Additionally, he will be registered as a sex offender for life.
