DANIEL WATERS FROM NEWPORT SENTENCED INCREASED AFTER GROOMING AND SEX OFFENSES ON CHILDREN
In a significant development in a disturbing case involving a Newport resident, Daniel Waters, aged 36, has seen his prison sentence dramatically increased following an appeal related to serious sexual offenses committed against young girls.Waters, who resides on St Johns Road in Newport, was initially convicted of multiple charges including three counts of rape, six counts of indecent assault, and one count of indecency with a child.
These convictions stemmed from offenses that took place during his late teenage years, involving two girls who were of primary school age at the time.
Waters was originally sentenced to a relatively lenient term of three and a half years at Newport Crown Court in December of the previous year.
However, this sentence was met with strong criticism from the Court of Appeal, with Lord Justice Davis explicitly stating that the original punishment was “far, far too low.” During the appeal hearing held on a Thursday, the court reviewed the case and decided to significantly extend Waters’ incarceration period.
His sentence was increased to a total of 12 years, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the court’s stance on the adequacy of the initial sentencing.
It was revealed during the hearing that Waters had denied all charges and had no prior criminal record.
The court also heard that Waters was a teenager when he committed these offenses, which involved grooming and sexual abuse of two young girls.
The prosecution, led by Janet McDonald, presented victim impact statements from the two girls, although these were not read aloud in court.
The judge, Judge P Harris-Jenkins, described Waters’ actions as a prolonged period of grooming that inflicted significant psychological harm on his victims.
During the proceedings, Waters’ defense attorney, James Tucker, argued that the original sentence was “lenient” and urged the court not to increase it.
Nonetheless, Lord Justice Davis emphasized that the initial sentence was “wholly unsustainable” and needed to be “very significantly” increased to reflect the seriousness of the offenses.
The court’s decision underscores the importance of appropriate sentencing in cases involving child sexual abuse, especially when the crimes span a lengthy period and involve vulnerable victims.
In the earlier trial held in December 2016, Waters was found guilty of grooming and sexually abusing two girls over an extended period.
The jury convicted him on 10 counts, including six for indecent assault, three for rape, and one for indecent assault of a child.
The court heard that Waters’ offenses occurred when he was in his late teens, and the victims were of primary school age at the time.
Judge Harris-Jenkins highlighted that Waters’ actions had caused lasting psychological damage to his victims, emphasizing the pattern of grooming that was consistent across both cases.
Waters was initially sentenced to a concurrent term of three and a half years in prison, but following the appeal, his sentence has been increased to 12 years.
He is expected to serve this term before being released on license, reflecting the court’s recognition of the severity of his crimes and the need for justice for the victims involved.
