DOMINIC STEPHEN POWELL, COVENTRY, SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR PAEDOPHILIC OFFENCES AND FUGITIVE IN SPAIN

In January 2013, top judges emphasized that Dominic Stephen Powell, a dangerous pedophile, deserved a life sentence. Powell, a 49-year-old who has no fixed address, was described by the courts as a “serious, predatory” offender who molested children in South Wales after being deported from the United States for similar “sordid” crimes.

He received a life imprisonment at Cardiff Crown Court in July 2012 after pleading guilty to multiple sex offences involving young children. Last week, Powell challenged his indeterminate sentence at London's Criminal Appeal Court, arguing that a fixed-term sentence combined with an extended license period ending with strict community monitoring would sufficiently protect the public.

The appeal was dismissed by three of the country’s most senior judges. They ruled that due to his offending history and efforts to evade justice, the life sentence was justified. The court heard that Powell, a former swimming teacher and bar owner, had molested victims after relocating to the Pontypridd area from Coventry in the early 2000s.

The court also disclosed Powell’s flight to Spain in 2009, where he remained at large until his arrest in November 2011 and subsequent return to the UK. He admitted to two counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13, one count of assault by penetration, and one count of failing to notify authorities of a change of circumstances.

Previously, Powell was deported from the US in 1997 after serving four years of a 15-year sentence in Connecticut for abusing two young girls. Despite being on the sex offenders’ register and ordered to inform authorities of his whereabouts, he breached these conditions in 2007 by traveling to Ireland. He was deported back to the UK after serving an 11-month sentence there for harassment following his stalking of a woman and her three young daughters.

His lawyers argued the life sentence was excessive, claiming the offences, although “sordid,” did not constitute the worst of their kind. However, Mr Justice Edwards-Stuart, sitting with Lord Justice Treacy and Sir Geoffrey Grigson, dismissed the appeal, stating that the sentence was “not excessive” given the aggravating factors including his fleeing abroad and prior convictions.

He said, “The appellant is a serious, predatory paedophile and has been for many years. We find that it cannot be estimated when it will be safe for him to be released. We have come to the conclusion that this offending was of such gravity that it warranted a sentence of imprisonment for life.”

Meanwhile, authorities continue to seek Powell’s whereabouts, describing him as a high-risk sex offender wanted in connection with child abuse allegations, making indecent images, and failing to notify authorities of his foreign travel plans. Police believe he is currently in Spain, likely using an alias and possibly having altered his appearance to evade capture.

He is characterized as having a stocky build, with a bald head, short brown hair, brown eyes, and glasses. Powell also speaks with a West Country accent. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers via the hotline 900 555 111 (from Spain), the UK number 0800 555 111, or online at http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org.