DAVID ROBERTS SHOCKS SWANSEA AND GERMANY WITH CHILD ABUSE CONVICTION
| Red Rose Database
Swansea Germany Sexual Abuser
In a case that has spanned decades and crossed international borders, David Roberts, a man with ties to both Swansea and Germany, has been sentenced to prison for heinous crimes committed against two young girls in the 1970s. The disturbing allegations first came to light after the victims, now adults, contacted police in 2015 to report the abuse that had occurred over forty years earlier.
Roberts, who was then living in the Swansea area during the mid-1970s, was accused of indecently assaulting two young girls. Following his initial crimes in Wales, he relocated to Germany, where he worked for many years as a security officer at Frankfurt Airport. Over time, he became a German national, fathered three children, and had grandchildren. Despite his new life abroad, the victims’ courage in coming forward prompted a police investigation that ultimately led to his arrest.
In 2019, authorities issued a European arrest warrant for Roberts, which was executed earlier that year when he was detained in Bulgaria. He was subsequently transferred to the United Kingdom, where he has remained in custody at Parc Prison. Roberts, now aged 66, pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault of a child and six counts of indecency with a child. His case was brought before Swansea Crown Court, where he appeared via video link from prison for sentencing.
During the hearing, emotional victim impact statements were read aloud. One of the victims, who chose to speak directly, expressed her pain and the lasting scars left by Roberts’ actions. She stated, “He took an innocent life I could have had and made me a victim,” adding that she had lived in shame and fear of being discovered. She described feeling “dirty,” hiding her secret, and suffering from deep agony that she could never fully reveal out of fear.
The other victim’s statement, summarized by prosecutor Robin Rouch, revealed feelings of naivety and confusion. He admitted to feeling “stupid about his naivety” and described how he had become a “mess,” struggling to understand what had happened to him.
Defense lawyer James Hartson acknowledged the gravity of the crimes but emphasized Roberts’ remorse and the long passage of time since the offenses. He highlighted that Roberts, who has built a new life in Germany, has not reoffended and is supported by a pension after working at Frankfurt Airport. Hartson also pointed out that Roberts had accepted responsibility by pleading guilty and expressed regret for his actions. He noted that Roberts’s family in Germany had been left bewildered and disappointed by the revelations, maintaining that Roberts himself was fully aware of the shame he carried.
Judge Geraint Walters sentenced Roberts to three years and eight months in prison. He also ordered Roberts to sign the sex offenders’ register, emphasizing the severity of his crimes. The judge stated, “Your conduct took away their innocence,” underscoring the lasting impact of Roberts’ actions on his victims. As Roberts was led away, it was clear that this case had left a profound mark on all involved, highlighting the importance of justice for victims of childhood abuse, regardless of the passage of time.
Roberts, who was then living in the Swansea area during the mid-1970s, was accused of indecently assaulting two young girls. Following his initial crimes in Wales, he relocated to Germany, where he worked for many years as a security officer at Frankfurt Airport. Over time, he became a German national, fathered three children, and had grandchildren. Despite his new life abroad, the victims’ courage in coming forward prompted a police investigation that ultimately led to his arrest.
In 2019, authorities issued a European arrest warrant for Roberts, which was executed earlier that year when he was detained in Bulgaria. He was subsequently transferred to the United Kingdom, where he has remained in custody at Parc Prison. Roberts, now aged 66, pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault of a child and six counts of indecency with a child. His case was brought before Swansea Crown Court, where he appeared via video link from prison for sentencing.
During the hearing, emotional victim impact statements were read aloud. One of the victims, who chose to speak directly, expressed her pain and the lasting scars left by Roberts’ actions. She stated, “He took an innocent life I could have had and made me a victim,” adding that she had lived in shame and fear of being discovered. She described feeling “dirty,” hiding her secret, and suffering from deep agony that she could never fully reveal out of fear.
The other victim’s statement, summarized by prosecutor Robin Rouch, revealed feelings of naivety and confusion. He admitted to feeling “stupid about his naivety” and described how he had become a “mess,” struggling to understand what had happened to him.
Defense lawyer James Hartson acknowledged the gravity of the crimes but emphasized Roberts’ remorse and the long passage of time since the offenses. He highlighted that Roberts, who has built a new life in Germany, has not reoffended and is supported by a pension after working at Frankfurt Airport. Hartson also pointed out that Roberts had accepted responsibility by pleading guilty and expressed regret for his actions. He noted that Roberts’s family in Germany had been left bewildered and disappointed by the revelations, maintaining that Roberts himself was fully aware of the shame he carried.
Judge Geraint Walters sentenced Roberts to three years and eight months in prison. He also ordered Roberts to sign the sex offenders’ register, emphasizing the severity of his crimes. The judge stated, “Your conduct took away their innocence,” underscoring the lasting impact of Roberts’ actions on his victims. As Roberts was led away, it was clear that this case had left a profound mark on all involved, highlighting the importance of justice for victims of childhood abuse, regardless of the passage of time.