DAVID HAVARD AND SHOCKING CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN BRIDGEND
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Bridgend, David Havard, aged 31, was found guilty of engaging in predatory and illegal sexual communications with minors.The sequence of events began on December 27 of the previous year, when Havard initiated contact with a 12-year-old girl through the social media platform TikTok.
After the girl blocked him following the initial message, Havard did not cease his attempts.
Instead, he continued to pursue her by reaching out via Facebook, where he explicitly asked her if she wanted to see his genitals and his "erect penis." The young girl, frightened by the unsolicited messages, responded by firmly telling Havard "no" and made it clear that she was only 12 years old.
She also called him a "paedophile" and warned him that she intended to report his conduct to the police.
Recognizing the seriousness of her warnings, she confided in her family, who promptly alerted law enforcement authorities about the disturbing messages.
By the time the police became involved, Havard was already in custody.
His arrest was linked to an earlier attempt to meet with what he believed to be young girls at Sarn motorway services on the M4.
Prosecutor Jeffrey Jones explained that Havard had been communicating with a decoy account operated by a paedophile group on an over-18 website.
The decoy, claiming to be 14 years old, engaged Havard in conversations about sex and even sent him photographs of his genitals.
Havard expressed a desire to have sex with the decoy and arranged to meet her at the motorway services, planning to bring along her 11-year-old friend.
He also invited her to sleep in his bed and described in graphic detail what he intended to do to her.
Additionally, he asked her to send photos of her bare chest, further demonstrating his predatory intent.
Following his arrest, Havard initially denied the allegations, claiming he had not contacted the real victim nor sent any explicit images.
He also stated that he could not remember sending pictures to the decoy account.
However, subsequent court proceedings revealed the full extent of his misconduct.
Havard, who resides on Oak Street in Aberkenfig, later pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including engaging in sexual communication with a child, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and attempting to meet a child following grooming.
The court also heard that he had previously received a caution after leaving a letter with sexual messages outside a child's home and had a conviction for outraging public decency after masturbating on a public bus.
During mitigation, Helen Randall highlighted that there were initial concerns about Havard’s mental health and his capacity to stand trial.
However, a psychiatric report confirmed he was fit to plead.
She also described his background as having a "difficult and abusive upbringing" and noted his ongoing mental health issues and learning difficulties.
The sentencing judge, Recorder of Cardiff Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, expressed concern about the potential for Havard to commit further sexual offences in the future.
As a result, she sentenced him to four years in prison, with an extended two-year licence period.
Havard is expected to serve approximately two-thirds of his custodial sentence before being eligible for parole.
Additionally, he was ordered to comply with lifelong sex offender notification requirements and a sexual harm prevention order, emphasizing the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses.
