September 2017 Paedophile David Hart who fled court jailed for 25 years A paedophile who went on the run on the final day of his trial has been jailed for 25 years. David Hart, 60, fled on Tuesday, shortly before a jury convicted him of 16 offences against a young girl. Hart, of Morriston, Swansea, failed to show up at Swansea Crown Court and was arrested on Wednesday. The taxi driver was described as a “controlling bully” and “deviant sex predator” by Judge Geraint Walters. Judge Walters had previously criticised the police and Morriston Hospital staffover the way they handled the matter. Hart was convicted of 16 offences by a jury, including 12 charges of rape. The court heard he started abusing his victim at the age of 11 and subjected her to “horrific sexual abuse” including bestiality. He also abused her on a webcam in chat rooms used by other paedophiles around the world. Hart’s victim told police: “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.” Sentencing him on Thursday, Judge Walters told Hart he had “ruined that girl’s life. “Your conduct towards her passes the boundaries of human understanding.” The court also heard how Hart had lied throughout the trial. “I have rarely heard one man lie so much during a trial,” said Judge Walters, “you really are a consummate liar”. “I have for over a week heard stomach churning evidence. “You are without doubt a paedophile – that which you cannot change and you will pose a risk, always.” Addressing his victim afterwards, Judge Walters said he hoped she could find some satisfaction that having him {Hart} ruin her life, she can be assured his life will now be affected. “Although it will never be as much hurt as you have suffered, I know,” he said. On-the-run paedophile arrested in Swansea Police have arrested a paedophile who went missing on the same day he was convicted of 16 offences. David Hart, from Morriston, Swansea, failed to show up at the city’s crown court for the last day of his trial on Tuesday. Hart, a 60-year-old taxi driver, was arrested by South Wales Police at an address in Morriston on Wednesday. His victim was just 11 or 12 when he began a campaign of abuse, which lasted for 14 years. Officers said the hunt for Hart was “immediately treated as a top priority”. Hart was convicted of 12 charges of rape, two of indecent assault, one of assault by penetration and one of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Tuesday. Judge Geraint Walters said his victim had described “some of the gravest sexual offences”. He adjourned sentencing, saying Hart faced “many years” in prison. During the trial, the court heard some of the abuse was carried out in front of a camera with hundreds of people watching at times. Hart’s victim said the abuse had caused extreme pain and she thought she may have been drugged. She told police: “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.” Judge Walters said it “obviously leaves a permanent psychological mark” and “someone can’t be subjected to this behaviour without life-changing consequences”. It was thought Hart been admitted to Morriston Hospital, but police discovered he was not there.