CHRISTOPHER PEJIC IN SWANSEA AVOIDS JAIL AFTER PARK SEX ASSAULT ON 14-YEAR-OLD

In August 2012, a man named Christopher Pejic, aged 25, narrowly avoided imprisonment after admitting to sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in a Swansea park. The victim's brother had heard rumors about his sister and her attacker, leading to her mother confronting Pejic, who then confessed to the assault. Pejic, of Pantycelan Road, Swansea, pleaded guilty to a single charge of sexual assault.

During his hearing at Swansea Crown Court, Judge Huw Davies remarked that Pejic’s life had been "full of promise" prior to the incident in early 2011. The court heard that Pejic met his victim in Cwmdonkin Park, Uplands, where he first engaged in kissing her on the neck and touching her leg before briefly assaulting her. Prosecutor Huw Rees described the assault as lasting "a matter of seconds," noting that Pejic had been drinking heavily at the time.

Pejic later told his victim’s mother, "I am sorry to my heart that this happened," indicating his remorse. The victim provided a statement in November after the incident was uncovered but was unable to specify the exact date of the assault.

Representing Pejic, lawyer Jim Hipkin acknowledged that his client accepted the seriousness of his offense, admitting that sexual contact had occurred and entering a guilty plea. Mr. Hipkin emphasized that Pejic felt "great remorse" for his actions, especially expressed to the victim’s mother, and described the incident as a "serious lapse" by his client, which he insisted was an isolated event.

He also conveyed that Pejic believed, in his own words, that he had "ruined his own life" at a young age because of what happened, describing this as a tragic consequence.

Judge Davies commented, "You came to your senses and stopped doing what you were doing," suggesting that Pejic had no intention of repeating the offense. The judge noted that another individual had told the victim’s brother there was some "impropriety" involved, even though the assault itself lasted only seconds.

While considering mitigation—such as Pejic losing a job he aspired to and dedicating time to prepare—Judge Davies stated that the sentence should exceed the minimum 12 months. Acknowledging Pejic’s guilty plea, the judge reduced the original sentence of 18 months to 12 months but indicated the possibility of suspension. Ultimately, he opted to suspend the sentence for two years, combined with a two-year supervision order and 180 hours of unpaid work.

Additionally, Pejic was placed under an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which includes restrictions on living or working with children under 16 unless he discloses his conviction to social services.