COLIN DOPSON FROM ABERBARGOED AND RHYMNEY VALLEY ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE PAEDOPHILE CONVICTION

In a case that has sparked outrage among victims and the wider community, Colin Dopson, a pensioner from Aberbargoed and the Rhymney Valley, was handed a lenient sentence after being convicted of serious sexual offenses against children. The incident, which took place over two decades ago, led to a court hearing at Cardiff Crown Court where Dopson was found guilty of indecent assault and indecency with a child.

Despite the gravity of the charges, Dopson, aged 74 at the time of sentencing, was not sent to prison. Instead, he received a three-year probation order, a decision that has been met with widespread condemnation. The court had previously warned Dopson that he might face imprisonment, but the judge ultimately decided that due to the age of the offenses, his advanced age, and the absence of prior convictions, incarceration was unnecessary.

During the trial, a jury acquitted Dopson of four other charges related to the same allegations. The victims, who had been indecently touched by Dopson approximately 20 years earlier, were present in court to hear the judge explain the reasoning behind the sentence. The judge emphasized that the offences, being historical, influenced the decision, but victims and their families expressed their disbelief and anger outside the court. They described the sentence as “a sick joke,” with one victim questioning whether similar logic would apply to more severe crimes committed earlier in life.

The mother of one of the victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, voiced her frustration, stating, “We did think he deserved to go to prison – these girls have had to live with this for 20 years and they are still living with it.” Her words reflect the ongoing trauma faced by victims of such crimes, regardless of the passage of time.

Defence lawyer Richard Twomlow argued that while sexual offences against children are always serious, these particular cases involved acts at the “lower end of the scale.” He suggested that Dopson had already faced repercussions, including social ostracism, with police intervention leading to his and his wife’s relocation. Twomlow also highlighted the emotional toll on Dopson, who, at his age, is reportedly under medication for health issues and has been distressed by media coverage of the case, which has circulated through his new neighborhood.

Judge Christopher Morton justified the probation order, which includes mandatory participation in a sex offenders’ programme, asserting that it would serve to protect the public. Dopson, who previously resided on Sannon Street in Aberbargoed and now lives elsewhere in the Rhymney Valley, will also be registered as a sex offender for five years.

One of the victims’ relatives expressed disgust at the court’s approach, stating, “They are just asking him to talk about what he’s done with others who have done the same. It’s disgusting.” Despite the conviction, Dopson continues to deny any wrongdoing. His wife, Janet, who testified in his defense, remains steadfast in her support, asserting during the trial, “No way, no way, no way,” when asked if she believed he could have committed the offences.

Further details emerged from the husband of one of the victims, who revealed that he learned of the abuse eight years prior through a letter written by his wife. He recounted that she initially handed him the letter but then tore it up immediately after he read it, indicating the emotional complexity surrounding the case.

In summary, Colin Dopson’s case has ignited debate over sentencing practices for historical sexual offences, especially involving elderly offenders. While he will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years, the community and victims continue to grapple with the perceived inadequacy of the punishment handed down.