DANIEL MESSHAM FROM PENCOED SENTENCED FOR ABUSIVE CRIMES INVOLVING UNDERAGE GIRL IN CARDIFF

Daniel Messham, aged 21 and residing in Pencoed, has been convicted of serious sexual offenses involving an underage girl, leading to a significant legal sentence. The case unfolded with disturbing details that highlight the gravity of his actions and the emotional trauma inflicted on the victim and her family.

According to court records, Messham engaged in a sexual relationship with the underage girl, which included both vaginal and oral sex at his residence. The incident was reported after the victim’s mother noticed her daughter was missing and contacted the police. It was revealed during the sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court that Messham had initiated contact with the girl through social media platforms, despite her explicitly informing him of her age. Nevertheless, he continued to pursue her, claiming they were involved in a romantic relationship.

On the day of the abduction, Messham picked up the girl from her home in Pencoed, ignoring her protests and her mother’s pleas to leave her alone, emphasizing her age. He then drove away in his vehicle, with the victim inside. Her mother, distressed and desperate, followed in an attempt to prevent the abduction. Police responded swiftly, locating Messham’s car approximately 20 minutes later. They found the girl in the passenger seat, and Messham was taken into custody. During questioning, he falsely claimed that he believed the girl was 17 years old, attempting to justify his actions.

Further investigation into Messham’s home in Bridgend uncovered cannabis and his mobile phone. A detailed analysis of his phone revealed diary entries that shed light on his disturbing mindset. In these entries, Messham expressed conflicted feelings about his relationship with the girl, writing things like, “I’m so much older.... That’s f***** up you know that. Do you really wanna f*** this girl?” He also voiced concerns about the morality of his actions, acknowledging his attraction to younger girls and the manipulative nature of his behavior.

Following his arrest, Messham was interviewed by police but chose to answer all questions with a refusal to comment. He subsequently pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child, meeting a child following sexual grooming, abducting a child, and possession of cannabis. Despite his previously good character, the court sentenced him to three years and four months in prison. Judge Paul Hobson highlighted the profound impact of Messham’s actions on the victim’s mother and emphasized that Messham, despite claiming remorse and suffering from complex PTSD due to an adverse childhood, was fully aware of the wrongfulness of his conduct.

In addition to his prison sentence, Messham is subject to a 10-year restraining order, and he must comply with sex offender notification requirements and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that will remain in effect indefinitely. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and the devastating consequences of grooming and sexual exploitation of minors in the Pencoed and Cardiff areas.