DAVID HOLLYOAKE AND KEITH FRICKER: SHOCKING CHILD SEX ABUSE CASE IN CARDIFF AND COVENTRY
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Cardiff and Coventry, two men with a long-standing friendship, forged during their time in the Army, have been convicted of heinous child sexual offenses.The trial, held at Cardiff Crown Court, revealed a pattern of vile abuse committed by David Hollyoake and Keith Fricker against vulnerable teenage boys during the 1990s and early 2000s.
David Hollyoake, aged 59 and residing on Romilly Road in Cardiff, faced a total of 30 charges, including rape, indecent assault, and gross indecency.
His co-defendant, Keith Fricker, aged 62 from Taunton Way in Coventry, was found guilty of a single count of indecent assault.
The court heard that the offenses involved two separate victims, both teenage boys at the time, and spanned over several years, highlighting the prolonged nature of the abuse.
Judge Philip Harris-Jenkins, presiding over the case, made it clear that the evidence demonstrated a disturbing shared interest in the sexual exploitation of young males.
Addressing the defendants directly, he stated, “I find it to be the case, on the evidence, that you shared a common interest in the sexual abuse of young males.” During the proceedings, prosecutors detailed how Hollyoake employed manipulative grooming techniques, typical of predatory paedophiles, to gain the trust of his first victim.
The court was told that the victim, who was vulnerable due to family circumstances and experienced bullying at school, was befriended by Hollyoake, who then bought him cigarettes and exploited his trust.
The judge remarked, “You used his vulnerability to your own ends.” Hollyoake’s abuse escalated when he took the boy to Fricker’s home, where the two men sexually assaulted him together.
The first victim’s personal statement, read aloud in court, described the experience as “disgusting, vile and sick.” He recounted how the trauma has haunted him into adulthood, leaving lasting scars.
The victim revealed that he turned to alcohol and drugs to cope with the memories, and that he had self-harmed and attempted suicide.
He expressed hope for a future despite the pain, stating, “I can’t change the past – I just hope there is still a future in my life.” Judge Harris-Jenkins emphasized the devastating impact of the abuse, telling the defendants, “There is no doubt that the abuse perpetrated by you has blighted his life.” Further details revealed that Hollyoake attempted to silence the second victim with “hush money” after the abuse.
The court heard that Hollyoake had asked the second boy to visit Fricker’s house with him, but the boy refused.
Prosecutors highlighted that Hollyoake’s case was aggravated by the fact that he had previous convictions for abusing boys dating back to 1986 and 2001.
In sentencing remarks, the judge underscored the severity of the crimes, stating that only an immediate custodial sentence could reflect the gravity of the offenses.
Hollyoake was sentenced to 22 years in prison, while Fricker received a three-year sentence.
Earlier in May 2017, both men had appeared in court and were found guilty of multiple sex offenses, including eight counts of indecent assault, ten counts of gross indecency, one count of serious sexual assault, and three counts of rape.
Their sentencing was scheduled for June 27 at Cardiff Crown Court, marking the culmination of a lengthy and distressing legal process that uncovered decades of abuse in the communities of Cardiff and Coventry.
