DEAN ASHILL FROM BARRY AND PENARTH SENTENCED FOR RAPE OF 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN CARDIFF

In a high-profile case that has shocked the communities of Barry and Penarth, Dean Ashill, a 34-year-old businessman, was convicted of serious sexual offenses involving a minor and subsequently sentenced to a lengthy prison term. The incident took place in Cardiff, where the court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the case.

Ashill, who is married and runs Phoenix Light Haulage, faced charges of rape and indecent assault against a 15-year-old girl. The charges stemmed from an incident where the young girl was allegedly subjected to sexual acts by Ashill, who initially denied the allegations but was found guilty by a jury in September after a detailed trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

During the sentencing, the court heard that Ashill admitted to having had sex with the girl but insisted that she was not underage and that the encounter was consensual. Despite his claims, the jury convicted him on five counts of rape and six counts of indecent assault. The judge, Christopher Llewellyn-Jones QC, sentenced Ashill to 12 years in prison and ordered that he be detained at HMP Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight.

In addition to his prison sentence, Ashill was placed on the sex offenders register for life and was prohibited from having unsupervised access to children. The judge addressed Ashill directly, stating, “You even said she had instigated it – you tried to put the blame on her – but the jury did not believe you. You subjected her to sexual degradations and through all of this, you have shown not a hint of remorse.”

Prosecutor Martyn Kelly emphasized that the victim was too young to legally give consent, highlighting the gravity of the offense. The court also noted that while there was little violence involved, threats were made to the girl, including warnings that her life would be destroyed if she reported the incident.

The court heard that the girl initially withdrew her claims against Ashill but later returned to the police to reaffirm her allegations, indicating the emotional and psychological turmoil she endured. Defense lawyer Tim Evans argued that many who knew Ashill, a man who provided employment opportunities both directly and through contacts, found it difficult to believe he could commit such acts.

Following his conviction, Ashill was released from custody and is currently residing in Penarth, near Cardiff, where he continues to live in the community. The case has left a lasting impact on the local communities of Barry and Penarth, raising ongoing concerns about safety and justice for victims of sexual crimes.