DARREN JENKINS FROM BARRY AND PONTYPOOL FACES LIFE SENTENCE AFTER GROOMING AND RAPING TEEN IN PONTYPOOL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Barry and Pontypool, Darren Jenkins, a man with a troubling history of sexual offenses, was found guilty of multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of a 16-year-old boy. The incidents, which spanned from June 2005 to January of this year, involved a pattern of grooming, manipulation, and assault that culminated in Jenkins raping the teenager on several occasions.

Jenkins, who at the time was a volunteer youth worker and a former church lay reader in Pontypool, exploited the trust placed in him by the young victim. The court heard that Jenkins initially gained the boy’s confidence, presenting himself as a supportive figure. However, this trust was betrayed as Jenkins' actions turned increasingly sinister. The assaults took place in various locations, including an attic and a bedroom within a house in Pontypool, as well as in an alleyway nearby, illustrating the calculated nature of his predatory behavior.

The Cardiff Crown Court was told that the abuse began with Jenkins forcefully kissing the teenager in an alleyway, an act that marked the start of a series of escalating sexual offenses. Jenkins denied the charges, claiming that the boy consented to the sexual acts and that his actions were not truly sexual because they conflicted with his religious beliefs. Despite his denials, Jenkins eventually admitted during a police interview that there had been a sexual act in the attic, confirming the victim’s account.

The young victim, in a video interview played during the trial, described how Jenkins' demeanor shifted from that of a caring figure to someone demanding sex. The boy explained that he was too frightened to resist or stop Jenkins, highlighting the coercive environment Jenkins created. The court was also informed that Jenkins' depraved conduct was uncovered after the victim confided in a teacher, prompting an investigation that revealed Jenkins’ disturbing history.

Jenkins’ criminal record is extensive. He previously served time for similar offenses, including a three-year sentence in 2004 for indecent assault on another 16-year-old, with 18 months suspended. In 2005, Jenkins, then 29 years old and residing at York Place, Barry, and formerly of Hanbury Road, Pontypool, was sentenced to 100 hours of community service after being convicted of possessing 259 indecent images of children. His latest offenses occurred just months after his release from prison, raising serious concerns about his ongoing threat to the community.

The court heard from the mother of Jenkins’ earlier victim, who attended the trial. She described Jenkins as “evil” for subjecting her son to a period of torment and suffering. She expressed her desire for Jenkins to be permanently removed from society, stating, “I want him locked away forever. He is evil so this conviction has come as a relief. My son’s been through hell. He has just agreed to counseling and is trying to come to terms with what happened, but it is something that will stay with him for the rest of his life.”

Sentencing for Jenkins has been postponed for a week as the court considers the full extent of his crimes. The case has also reignited calls for the implementation of Megan’s Law in the UK, a legislation currently used in the United States that provides the public with information about convicted sex offenders living in their neighborhoods. The community and the victim’s family await justice, hoping that Jenkins will face the maximum penalty available for his heinous acts.