PONTYPOOL PENSIONER HARRY SPRAGG SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRL
| Red Rose Database
Pontypool Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the community of Pontypool, Harry Spragg, a 79-year-old resident of Laburnum Drive, New Inn, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after admitting to a series of serious sexual offences involving a young girl under the age of 13. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the crimes committed by Spragg, who had previously maintained a clean record before these allegations surfaced.
Spragg pleaded guilty to multiple counts, including two charges of rape, two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, and three counts of taking indecent photographs of a minor. These offences were all linked to a single victim, a girl under 13 years old. The court heard that the offences had taken place over a period, causing significant trauma to the young girl involved.
During the sentencing at Newport Crown Court, Judge William Gaskell addressed the court and expressed his concern over the impact of Spragg’s actions. He stated, “You are a man of previous good character who is now 79. She was wholly unaware of the implications of what you did to her. But as she is getting older and having a greater realisation of what you did, it is likely to become an oppression for her. What you did, in my judgment, will have a really long-term effect on her.”
The case was brought to light not long after Gwent Police issued a missing persons appeal, revealing that Spragg had been reported missing from his home on November 8, 2012. The authorities had initially been concerned about his whereabouts, but the investigation soon uncovered the disturbing allegations against him.
Spragg’s defense lawyer, Mary Parry Evans, described his actions as “so out of character it was unbelievable,” emphasizing that he had no prior criminal record. She acknowledged that there had been stresses in his life around the time of the offences but argued that these did not justify or mitigate the severity of his crimes. Mrs. Parry Evans also stated, “He knows this is all his own fault.”
The court sentenced Spragg to ten years in prison for each of the rape charges, two years for each of the counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and three years for each of the indecent photograph charges. All sentences were ordered to run concurrently, meaning he will serve the total time in a single period of imprisonment.
Earlier in June 2013, Spragg had already pleaded guilty to the charges during a court appearance, with the case highlighting the disturbing nature of the offences. The court also heard that Spragg claimed the girl had initiated contact, and he felt unable to refuse her advances. Additionally, he faced allegations of offences against a second victim, dating back to the late 1980s and early 1990s, involving eight counts of indecent assault. However, these charges were ordered to lie on file following the victim’s request not to proceed with a trial.
Spragg was remanded in custody pending sentencing, and the case remains a stark reminder of the serious consequences of such heinous crimes, as well as the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children in the community of Pontypool.
Spragg pleaded guilty to multiple counts, including two charges of rape, two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, and three counts of taking indecent photographs of a minor. These offences were all linked to a single victim, a girl under 13 years old. The court heard that the offences had taken place over a period, causing significant trauma to the young girl involved.
During the sentencing at Newport Crown Court, Judge William Gaskell addressed the court and expressed his concern over the impact of Spragg’s actions. He stated, “You are a man of previous good character who is now 79. She was wholly unaware of the implications of what you did to her. But as she is getting older and having a greater realisation of what you did, it is likely to become an oppression for her. What you did, in my judgment, will have a really long-term effect on her.”
The case was brought to light not long after Gwent Police issued a missing persons appeal, revealing that Spragg had been reported missing from his home on November 8, 2012. The authorities had initially been concerned about his whereabouts, but the investigation soon uncovered the disturbing allegations against him.
Spragg’s defense lawyer, Mary Parry Evans, described his actions as “so out of character it was unbelievable,” emphasizing that he had no prior criminal record. She acknowledged that there had been stresses in his life around the time of the offences but argued that these did not justify or mitigate the severity of his crimes. Mrs. Parry Evans also stated, “He knows this is all his own fault.”
The court sentenced Spragg to ten years in prison for each of the rape charges, two years for each of the counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and three years for each of the indecent photograph charges. All sentences were ordered to run concurrently, meaning he will serve the total time in a single period of imprisonment.
Earlier in June 2013, Spragg had already pleaded guilty to the charges during a court appearance, with the case highlighting the disturbing nature of the offences. The court also heard that Spragg claimed the girl had initiated contact, and he felt unable to refuse her advances. Additionally, he faced allegations of offences against a second victim, dating back to the late 1980s and early 1990s, involving eight counts of indecent assault. However, these charges were ordered to lie on file following the victim’s request not to proceed with a trial.
Spragg was remanded in custody pending sentencing, and the case remains a stark reminder of the serious consequences of such heinous crimes, as well as the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children in the community of Pontypool.