DEAN IMPERATO'S SHOCKING CHILD SEX ABUSE IN CARDIFF: GARDENING BUSINESS OWNER SENTENCED
A disturbing case of child sexual abuse has come to light involving Dean Imperato, a man based in Cardiff, who subjected a young girl to repeated acts of sexual assault over a prolonged period.The court heard that Imperato, who owns a gardening and maintenance business, exploited the innocence of his young victim, offering her sweets as a form of grooming and manipulation, promising her rewards if she behaved as a 'good girl'.
The victim, who has lifelong legal anonymity, was described by her mother as once being a cheerful, confident, and outgoing child.
However, following the abuse, her demeanor changed drastically.
She became anxious, self-conscious, and uncomfortable around boys and men, a transformation that deeply affected her family.
Her mother recounted that when her daughter finally disclosed the abuse in April of the previous year, it was a devastating moment for the family.
The young girl broke down in tears during police interviews, revealing that the abuse had occurred 'lots of times' over the years.
According to the court proceedings, the abuse was characterized by elements of grooming, with Imperato buying sweets for the girl as a reward for being a 'good girl'.
The investigation uncovered that the offending had been ongoing for a significant period, causing profound harm to the victim's well-being.
Dean Imperato, aged 33 and residing on Marguerites Way in St Fagans, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 during his court appearance.
He has no prior criminal convictions.
His defense solicitor, Clare Wilkes, highlighted that Imperato was unusually forthcoming with probation officers and expressed regret over his actions, citing his troubled childhood and mental health issues, which were exacerbated by cannabis use.
Wilkes urged the court to consider a sentence that reflected the seriousness of the crimes but also allowed for the possibility of rehabilitation, emphasizing that a lengthy sentence could destroy his future.
Judge Shomon Khan addressed Imperato directly, condemning his actions as a betrayal of trust and a cause of immeasurable harm to the young victim and her family.
The judge noted that Imperato's guilty pleas warranted a one-third reduction in his sentence.
Consequently, he was sentenced to six years in prison.
The judge further explained that Imperato would serve up to half of that term in custody before being released on licence, with the remaining period to be served in the community under supervision.
Additionally, Imperato was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subjected to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, ensuring ongoing restrictions and monitoring to protect the public from further harm.
