GARETH LLOYD'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN NEWPORT: PERVERTED GROOMER SENT LOVE LETTER TO UNDERAGE VICTIM
In April 2008, a disturbing case emerged involving Gareth Lloyd, a man from Newport who engaged in a series of heinous acts against a young girl.Lloyd, aged 54 and residing on Priory Way in Langstone, Newport, had previously groomed and established a sexual relationship with a girl who was only 15 years old at the time of the offences.
The situation took a sinister turn when, despite being caught and convicted, Lloyd sent a deeply inappropriate love letter to his victim three months after his initial exposure.
In this letter, Lloyd implored the girl to contact him via text message, claiming he needed reassurance and expressing his undying love.
He wrote, “I will always remember you as my little princess and I will love you until the day I die,” revealing his continued obsession and inability to accept the consequences of his actions.
The letter, sent in June 2007, was a clear attempt to re-establish contact with the girl, who was understandably distressed and frightened by his actions.
The girl’s mother was understandably furious and described Lloyd as “disgusting.” She expressed her outrage that Lloyd had tried to re-enter her daughter’s life, especially after the trauma she had endured.
The mother emphasized her protective instincts, stating, “We were angry.
How dare he think he could come back into her life after all he’d done to her.” She also revealed that her daughter, now 16, has been suffering emotionally, having taken two overdoses and engaging in self-harm as a result of her ordeal.
The girl’s traumatic experience began after she made a seemingly innocent joke by texting a phone number she saw written on a bus seat.
Unbeknownst to her, this number belonged to Lloyd, who initially claimed to be a 16-year-old named Matt.
Over the following month, the two exchanged numerous text messages, building a false sense of familiarity.
Their communication culminated in a meeting in Newport in February 2007, where Lloyd, who had by then revealed himself to be 43 years old, arranged to meet her.
The meetings took place in locations around Newport, including a room at the Walkabout Inn and a cinema.
Lloyd described their trip to the cinema as “the best Saturday I have had in my entire life,” highlighting his disturbing attachment to the girl.
During these encounters, Lloyd engaged in sexual activities with her, which led to his arrest and subsequent conviction.
Last week, Lloyd was sentenced to three years in prison after admitting to three counts of sexual activity with a minor and a charge of sexual grooming.
The court also ordered him to be placed on the sex offenders register for life and imposed an indefinite ban on him working with children.
The judge’s decision underscores the severity of Lloyd’s crimes and the ongoing threat he poses to the safety of young people in Newport.
