PENYRGROES BUS DRIVER ANTHONY HUGHES SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND INDECENT PHOTOS OF 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN LLANDUDNO AND BLACKPOOL

In April 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving Anthony Hughes, a bus driver from Penygroes, who was convicted of grooming a 14-year-old girl and taking her on secret weekend trips to popular seaside destinations such as Llandudno and Blackpool. Hughes, aged 52, exploited his position as a driver to develop a troubling relationship with the young girl, whom he befriended while operating his bus routes in Penygroes.

Over time, Hughes established contact with the girl through online gaming platforms, gradually building a relationship that crossed appropriate boundaries. His actions escalated as he began to take her away on clandestine weekend excursions, often accompanied by one of her friends, without the knowledge or consent of her parents. These trips to Llandudno and Blackpool were kept hidden from the girl’s family, who remained unaware of her whereabouts during those weekends.

The grooming and exploitation continued until the girl eventually confided in her parents about her experiences. Her parents, alarmed and concerned, contacted the police to investigate the matter further. During the police investigation, officers uncovered a disturbing video showing Hughes and the girl dancing together in a hotel room, both partially undressed. Additionally, authorities found several indecent photographs of the girl stored on Hughes’s computer, further evidence of his inappropriate conduct.

Hughes was arrested and brought in for questioning. During his interview, he admitted to taking the girl to a hotel and acknowledged that the images stored on his device were of her, taken when she was under 16. His actions and the evidence collected led to his conviction and subsequent sentencing at Caernarfon Crown Court.

Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, presiding over the case, sentenced Hughes to immediate custody, emphasizing the severity of his offenses. She stated, “I take into account all that has been said on your behalf but I am satisfied these offences are so serious only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate.” The judge also highlighted the distress caused to the girl’s parents, who suspected something was wrong but never suspected Hughes’s true intentions. “They thought she had a boyfriend, and it never occurred to them he was a 52-year-old married man,” she added.

Following his arrest, Hughes admitted to police that he had taken the girl to a hotel and confirmed that the images on his computer depicted her and were taken when she was under 16. As a consequence of the investigation, Hughes lost his job with the bus company. However, he has since secured employment as a lorry driver.

In addition to his imprisonment, Hughes was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which was made indefinite, and he was ordered to register as a sex offender until further notice, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to protect the public from potential harm.