DAVID PRICE: GYWNEDD PAEDOPHILE DIES IN PRISON AFTER DECADES OF HORRIFIC ABUSE
In July 2023, the criminal justice system was struck with the news of the death of David Price, an 80-year-old man whose heinous crimes and depraved conduct have left a dark stain on the history of child abuse cases.Price, a notorious paedophile, was known for his extensive and disturbing criminal activities spanning several decades, including abuse, exploitation, and the production of indecent images of children.
His life and crimes are a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by such offenders, and his death in prison marked the end of a long and troubling chapter.
David Price, originally from Southport, had a complex and troubling criminal history that included a period of eight years on the run from justice.
His arrest in Asia in 2011 was the result of a crucial tip-off from Merseyside Police, which led to cooperation with Chinese authorities.
Price had previously lived in the Gwynedd area during the 1980s, a time when some of his earliest crimes were committed.
Despite the absence of a formal extradition treaty between the UK and China, an unprecedented diplomatic agreement was reached, allowing Price to be extradited back to Merseyside to face justice for his numerous offences.
The legal proceedings in Liverpool Crown Court in 2012 revealed the full extent of Price’s depravity.
It was established that during the late 1990s and early 2000s, he traveled extensively through Africa and the Middle East, where he engaged in the abuse of young girls, some as young as seven years old.
Police investigations uncovered a disturbing collection of images and videos stored on Price’s computer, meticulously categorized and kept on external hard drives to avoid detection by his family.
The court heard that Price had set up a business called KiddiePix and Milly10, through which he took and sold photographs of young girls, amassing over 800 images of child abuse.
In 2003, Price was first arrested at his family home in Southport after an undercover American officer, posing as a paedophile, was contacted by him.
Price had invited the officer to Dubai, where he planned to participate in the abuse of six young sisters, whose mother he had befriended.
However, Price skipped bail and fled the UK in June 2005 using a false passport.
His escape route took him through Kenya and Tanzania before he resurfaced in Hubei Province, China, where he worked as an English teacher to children.
Despite his outward appearance of a respectable educator, Price continued his heinous activities in secret, storing his illicit material on external drives to prevent discovery.
The court also heard that the 2003 case was linked to his criminal enterprise, KiddiePix and Milly10, which involved the production and distribution of child abuse images.
Police analysis of his computer revealed more than 800 photographs.
Price pleaded guilty to 21 counts of possessing, making, and distributing indecent images of children, as well as breaching his bail conditions.
Due to the complexities of extradition, the Crown Prosecution Service was unable to charge him with specific sexual assault offences.
Nonetheless, Judge Mark Brown sentenced him to seven years and eight months in prison, emphasizing that his conduct was among the most wicked and depraved he had encountered.
The judge remarked that Price would have received a significantly longer sentence if not for the limitations imposed by the extradition process.
Price’s criminal activities did not end with his initial convictions.
In 2019, more victims came forward, revealing further horrific offences committed during the 1980s in Gwynedd.
He was charged with two counts of gross indecency with a child and one count of rape.
His then-wife, Lourdes Price, was also implicated, facing charges of gross indecency and perverting the course of justice.
Court records from Caernarfon Crown Court detailed how, during the 1980s, Price repeatedly sexually assaulted and took indecent photographs of a child while she was bound and gagged.
It was further revealed that he later raped her.
His wife was involved in some of the abuse, appearing in photographs and later attempting to destroy evidence by pouring bleach on the images.
Price threatened his victim, warning her that if she disclosed what was happening, she would be in serious trouble.
In November 2020, Judge Nicola Jones sentenced Price to 15 years in prison for these offences.
She described him as a significant harm to society, noting that the victim was his third child victim.
The judge also criticized Price’s lack of remorse and insight into the harm he caused, highlighting his continued deviant beliefs that justified his actions.
A report from the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) indicated that Price was transferred to HMP Garth in August 2020.
In 2022, his health deteriorated as he began coughing up blood, and he was subsequently diagnosed with lung cancer, sepsis, and possible multi-organ failure.
His prognosis was poor, and he was placed on palliative care with a Do Not Resuscitate order.
Price passed away in hospital on August 12, 2023, with his death marking the conclusion of a life marred by heinous crimes and unrepentant depravity.
