DAVID HART FROM MORRISTON, SWANSEA, ARRESTED AFTER MISSING SENTENCE AT COURT
Police have apprehended David Hart, a local offender from Morriston, Swansea, who went missing on the day he was convicted of 16 criminal offences.Hart, a 60-year-old taxi driver, failed to appear at Swansea's crown court on Tuesday, which marked the final day of his trial.
Following his disappearance, South Wales Police launched an immediate search, which they described as "a top priority." Hart was eventually located and detained at an address in Morriston on Wednesday.
The charges against him include 12 counts of rape, two counts of indecent assault, one count of assault by penetration, and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The victim, who was approximately 11 or 12 years old when the abuse began, endured a 14-year campaign of sexual abuse.
During the court proceedings, the judge, Geraint Walters, highlighted the severity of the offences.
He noted that the victim described the acts as "some of the gravest sexual offences" he had heard.
Judge Walters postponed the sentencing, indicating that Hart could face "many years" in prison.
The court also learned that some of the abuse occurred in front of a camera, with hundreds of viewers at times.
The victim described the profound impact of the abuse, stating, "I blame myself.
I never did enough to stop him.
I had opportunities to stop him but I was too afraid.
I hate myself.
I feel disgusted I let him do these things.
I dream of it." Magistrate Walters acknowledged that such trauma leaves a "permanent psychological mark" and emphasized that "someone can't be subjected to this behaviour without life-changing consequences." Initially, police believed Hart had been admitted to Morriston Hospital, but investigations revealed he was not there.
