May 2010 Newport man jailed for rape and child sex offences A NEWPORT man was jailed for 15 years after admitting to a string of sexual offences which included a victim as young as four. Gerald Samuels, 55 of Monnow Way, pleaded guilty to nine counts of indecent assault, one count of indecency with a child, one count of rape and two other sexual offences. He also admitted to supplying a controlled drug to one of his victims. Newport Crown Court heard how the incidents had happened between 1984 and 2009 and involved five different victims. Prosecuting, Caroline Rees said Samuels preyed on young and vulnerable females to satisfy his sexual desire. She said with one of the child victims, Samuels asked her to touch him sexually and asked her to perform a sex act on him on so many occasions she lost count. He also raped one of his adult victims before laughing at her. The attack left the woman pregnant. Ms Rees said Samuels had met two of the victims in Newport pubs. She said they were vulnerable schoolgirls but he formed relationships with them and would again ask the girls to perform sex acts. With one of the victims, Samuels, who had a drug habit, slipped amphetamine into her drink, causing her to become addicted to the drug. Ms Rees told the court how the victims had been affected, with one resorting to using razors to self-harm. In police interview, one of the victims described Samuels as an “evil, evil man”. Defending, Lucy Crowther said Samuels knew what he had done was wrong and was sorry: “There will definitely be no more of this matter. It is at an end.” Sentencing Judge William Gaskell said: “You are a deeply depraved man. Any young person who comes near you is at risk and vulnerable to your sexual abuse.” Samuels was ordered to sign the sex offenders register on his release. He is not allowed to contact or communicate with any children in a private place or work with any children until a further order is made.