DANIEL WOODBRIDGE AND DAVID JONES FROM MAESTEG SENTENCED FOR YEARS OF SEXUAL ABUSE ON CHILDREN IN CARDIFF

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community, two young men from Maesteg, Bridgend, were convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against two young girls. The defendants, Daniel Woodbridge, aged 31, and David Jones, aged 32, were found guilty of multiple counts of rape and indecent assault following a detailed trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

The crimes took place when both offenders were minors themselves. David Jones was just 15 years old, and Daniel Woodbridge was only 13 at the time of the abuse. The court heard that the two defendants shared a close relationship, which appeared to facilitate their repeated and sustained campaign of sexual violence against the victims. The abuse was carried out both in the presence of each other and individually, highlighting a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior.

According to the court records, Woodbridge was convicted of seven counts of rape and one count of indecent assault. Meanwhile, Jones faced charges including five counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, and two counts of indecent assault. The jury's verdict reflected the severity and persistence of their actions over a period of time.

During the proceedings, a victim impact statement was read aloud by Judge Thomas Merfyn Hughes QC, who appeared via video link from Caernarfon Crown Court. The statement detailed the profound and lasting effects of the abuse on one of the victims. She described her struggles with mental health, her difficulty in forming relationships, and her ongoing battle with self-harm. The victim expressed her hope to rebuild her life despite the trauma inflicted upon her, and she shared her protective instincts towards her own children as a sign of her resilience.

Another statement, presented on behalf of the second victim, revealed her ongoing emotional struggles during her teenage years. She spoke of her insecurities, her inability to commit to romantic relationships, and her difficulty in achieving closure until the defendants admitted their guilt. Her testimony underscored the long-term psychological scars left by the abuse.

Throughout the trial, the defense for Woodbridge, represented by Susan Ferrier, maintained that her client continued to deny any involvement in the offenses. However, she acknowledged that the jury had found him guilty based on the evidence presented. Ferrier emphasized that Woodbridge was still attending primary school when the abuse began, suggesting that his age at the time should be considered during sentencing.

Judge Hughes delivered a stern sentence, stating, “You totally dominated each of the victims.” He condemned the defendants for their continued sexual abuse over many years, describing their actions as a case of “sustained and constant sexual abuse of two young girls when they were powerless to prevent it.”

Both men, residing at addresses in Maesteg—Woodbridge at Brynllywarch and Jones at Duffryn Street—were sentenced to five years in prison. The case has left a lasting impact on the victims and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children from such predatory behavior.