GERALD BRAGG FROM ABERBARGOED AND CEFN HENGOED SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR CHILD ABUSE IN SOUTH WALES

In a case that has shocked the community and brought to light the horrific abuse inflicted upon young children decades ago, Gerald Bragg, a man with ties to Aberbargoed, Cefn Hengoed, Nelson, and Pontllanfraith, was sentenced to a decade behind bars for his involvement in a disturbing child abuse ring operating in a South Wales mining village during the late 1970s.

Cardiff Crown Court heard harrowing details of Bragg’s actions, which spanned several years and involved multiple victims. The court was told that Bragg, aged 59 at the time of sentencing, was convicted on three counts of sexual abuse against a primary school pupil, with the jury finding him guilty after a thorough trial. The jury also acquitted him of another charge related to an incident during the summer holidays of 1974, involving a different young boy.

It was revealed that Bragg had a troubling history, including two previous convictions for sex offenses, for which he had served a five-year prison sentence in the 1990s. Despite his denials, the evidence presented in court painted a disturbing picture of a man who had repeatedly preyed on vulnerable children.

One of the victims, a 45-year-old man who testified against Bragg, expressed his feelings outside the court, stating, “Ten years is not long enough for what he did, but hopefully it will give others the courage to speak out.” His words underscored the ongoing trauma inflicted by Bragg’s actions and the importance of justice.

During the sentencing, Judge Stephen Hopkins described Bragg’s residence—a modest three-bedroom semi—as a “meeting place for deviant perverts,” highlighting the sinister nature of the abuse that took place within its walls. The court heard that Bragg’s home was a site where children were subjected to horrific acts, some of which involved coercion and violence.

One victim recounted a particularly disturbing incident where he was forcibly held and made to perform a sex act after being given a small amount of money by a man he described as “the social worker.” Another victim, now aged 41, described how Bragg forcibly held his head during an assault, while a man dressed in a tweed jacket with leather elbows and a waistcoat asked him to perform a sex act. The victim refused, but Bragg proceeded to rape him, with the assault taking place while he was held over a chair. The victim recounted how he managed to escape, bleeding heavily, only to be threatened and told that his family would be harmed if he disclosed what had happened.

He also described the distinctive smell of engine oil that Bragg always carried, which he said made him feel sick even years later. The victim’s account was emotionally charged, especially when he revealed that he saw a young friend being raped at the same house and begged to be released, only to be told to stay and watch. Tragically, that young friend later took his own life.

Judge Hopkins condemned Bragg as a “despicable and evil man” who showed no remorse for his actions. The judge emphasized the profound psychological damage inflicted on the victims, particularly highlighting how one victim had contemplated suicide due to the trauma. The court acknowledged the bravery of the victims who came forward to testify, despite the pain involved.

As part of his sentence, Gerald Bragg will be registered as a sex offender for life. The court noted that many other individuals involved in the abuse—other men and boys seen at the house—are either deceased, untraceable, or deemed mentally unfit for trial. The victim expressed hope that others with knowledge of the abuse would find the courage to speak out and seek justice.

Gerald Bragg’s criminal activities and subsequent conviction serve as a stark reminder of the enduring impact of childhood abuse and the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children in communities across South Wales.