ASHLEY WILLIAMS FROM GARNDOLBENMAEN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN PORTHMADOG AND MOULD

In April 2014, a disturbing case unfolded involving Ashley Williams, a man from Garndolbenmaen near Porthmadog, who took a significant step that shocked the local community and the wider public. Williams voluntarily entered a police station and confessed to sexually assaulting a young girl aged just 10 years old. His candid admission was seen as an unusual and somewhat remorseful act, as he expressed to officers that he did not fully understand why he had committed the offense but wanted to make amends for his actions.

Williams, aged 31 at the time, appeared before Mold Crown Court to face justice. The court heard that he was charged with multiple offenses related to the assault on the young girl. During the proceedings, it was revealed that Williams had admitted to four separate counts of sexual assault against the child. The severity of the case was underscored by the fact that the victim was under the age of 13, making her particularly vulnerable and deserving of special protection under the law.

The judge presiding over the case, Niclas Parry, did not hold back in his condemnation of Williams’ actions. He emphasized the girl’s extreme youth and vulnerability, noting that there were indications of grooming and inducement, which suggested that Williams had taken advantage of her innocence for his own sexual gratification. The judge pointed out that Williams had explicitly told the girl not to tell anyone about what had happened, warning her that she might get into trouble if she did.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Parry acknowledged Williams’ apparent remorse, highlighting that it was somewhat unusual for a defendant to voluntarily confess to such a crime. Despite this, he made it clear that the law must impose strict penalties. Williams was sentenced to seven years in prison and was ordered to register as a sex offender for life. Additionally, a lifetime sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) was issued, prohibiting him from having any unsupervised contact with children under 16 and from approaching the victim.

Prosecutor Wyn Lloyd Jones provided further details, describing the case as extremely serious. The court was told that Williams’ initial response to the allegations was to minimize his involvement, but after the victim confided in a family member, he admitted to the police that he had touched the girl sexually. The following day, he voluntarily went to Caernarfon police station and disclosed his actions, claiming he wanted to make amends.

The victim, in a video interview conducted by police, described her experience as horrible and disgusting. She explained that she had tried to resist Williams, but he continued regardless. Her distress was evident, and she expressed her hatred for what had happened. Williams, in his police interview, stated that he did not understand why he had done it and expressed a desire to be punished.

Earlier in February 2014, Williams had already admitted to sexually assaulting the young girl, pleading guilty to four counts of sexual assault. The court was informed that, due to the victim’s age, the starting point for Williams’ sentence would be five years in prison. He appeared via videolink from Altcourse Prison in Liverpool, showing no emotion as he confirmed his identity and guilty pleas. The prosecution announced that they would not pursue a fifth charge related to taking an indecent photograph of a child, and that case would be left on file. The court adjourned the case for reports to be prepared before sentencing was scheduled for March 10 at Mold Crown Court.