GEORGE OWEN OF WREXHAM SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS FOR CHILD ABUSE IN WALES
In a case that has shocked the community of Wrexham, George Owen, aged 61, has been sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges of child abuse that took place during the 1990s.Owen, a resident of Colliery Road in Wrexham, was found guilty at Caernarfon Crown Court of seven separate counts involving the sexual exploitation of a vulnerable young boy.
The court heard that Owen’s misconduct extended beyond mere abuse.
Prosecutor Mark Connor revealed that Owen had used manipulative tactics to control and intimidate his young victim.
One particularly disturbing method involved Owen holding the victim’s pet cat outside an upstairs window, effectively using the animal as a tool of blackmail.
Owen also bribed the boy with money and sweets to maintain his silence and compliance.
During the proceedings, it was disclosed that Owen had, on occasion, coerced another boy into sexually touching the victim, further illustrating the extent of his predatory behavior.
The court was informed that Owen had previously been convicted in 1982 for abusing boys he had transported in his ice cream van at Bethesda, indicating a troubling pattern of offending spanning decades.
Mark Connor emphasized the victim’s feelings of guilt, explaining that the young boy had hesitated to report the abuse earlier out of fear that other boys might have been involved or harmed.
The emotional and psychological toll on the victim was described as devastating.
Defence lawyer Simon Mills acknowledged the severity of Owen’s actions and stated that he would now be under strict supervision by authorities for the remainder of his life.
Mills added that Owen would need to rebuild his life after his release from prison, highlighting the long-term implications of his criminal conduct.
Judge Huw Rees delivered the sentence, condemning Owen for his manipulative grooming, bribery, and blackmail.
The judge specifically pointed out the disturbing tactic of threatening to kill the victim’s cat by holding it out of the window, a method Owen used to exert control and fear.
The court also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order on Owen, which will restrict his activities and movements to prevent further harm.
Additionally, Owen was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and public safety measures.
The case underscores the serious nature of child exploitation crimes and the lasting impact on victims and communities alike.
