ANDREW WEBB GYLNCOCH PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC ABUSE IN PONTYPRIDD

In February 2023, a deeply disturbing case unfolded involving Andrew Webb, a man from Glyncoch, Pontypridd, who was convicted of sexually abusing a young girl under the age of 13. The assault was so severe that it left the victim feeling overwhelmed with despair, to the point of contemplating suicide, as she was compelled to relive her traumatic experience during her court testimony.

Webb, aged 35 and residing on Garth Avenue in Glyncoch, was accused of two counts of rape. Despite denying the charges, he was found guilty after a trial at Cardiff Crown Court. During the sentencing hearing held on a Friday, Webb appeared via video link from HMP Parc, where he is currently incarcerated.

The court heard emotional victim personal statements read aloud by prosecutor John Ryan. The young girl, now an adult, described the profound and lasting impact of Webb’s abuse. She stated, “Since what Andrew has done to me, my life has never been the same. I had to cope with keeping this to myself for so long and did not tell anyone because I thought they wouldn’t believe me. I suffered from the abuse he’s given me which led to self-harm over the years and spent endless nights of sleeplessness and dreams of what he’s done to me.”

She recounted how Webb’s actions, which she described as “horrible things,” shattered her trust in others and affected her education, leaving her with low self-esteem and unresolved questions about why he committed such acts. The victim expressed her desire for justice, saying, “I missed out on so much, he took my childhood from me. I want him to pay and to face up to what he did to me. I want justice for the horrific things he did to me. No amount of time he spends in prison will take away the pain but I hope it will help me move on and have a normal life.”

The victim’s mother also shared her anguish, condemning Webb for “taking her little girl” and asserting she would never forgive him. She expressed feelings of guilt, describing herself as “a horrendous mother” for failing to protect her daughter, and criticized Webb for showing no remorse. The victim’s grandmother added that Webb had “knocked the spark” out of her granddaughter and left her “a shell of a person.”

Prosecutor John Ryan highlighted the severe psychological damage inflicted on the victim. During her cross-examination in court, she revealed that she had been contemplating ending her life, stating, “I kept thinking about ending myself.”

In mitigation, defence barrister Laurence Jones argued that Webb maintained his innocence. He claimed the abuse had only occurred on two occasions and that Webb had not used blackmail or threats. Jones also pointed out that Webb suffers from mental health issues and that incarceration would be particularly difficult for him due to his diabetes.

Judge Shoman Khan, presiding over the case, acknowledged the significant harm caused by Webb’s actions. He remarked, “It was little surprise that the victim had been significantly harmed by Webb raping her. Your offending caused her severe psychological harm.”

Webb was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with the understanding that he would serve two-thirds of this sentence before being eligible for parole. Additionally, he was placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 20 years, with sex offender notification requirements imposed indefinitely. A restraining order was also issued against him, preventing any contact with the victim for an indefinite period.