SHANNON LEIGH NEWTH SENTENCED IN PONTYPRIDD FOR CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT FROM 2011

A man named Shannon Leigh Newth, aged 38, has been formally sentenced to serve a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a young child in Pontypridd over a decade ago. The court proceedings concluded with Newth receiving a sentence of 16 years behind bars, along with a lifetime restraining order designed to prevent any future contact with the victim or other potential victims.

The disturbing incident dates back to 2011, when the victim was only seven years old. The assault was not reported immediately; it was only in 2023 that the victim came forward to authorities, prompted by a social media post on Facebook that highlighted a similar case. This post led the victim to disclose the long-held secret, initiating a police investigation that ultimately resulted in Newth’s conviction.

Detective Georgia Davies, who led the investigation, expressed her appreciation for the victim’s courage. She stated, "This is a case where the victim didn’t feel comfortable disclosing the offences to anyone until several years later." She further commended the victim’s bravery, saying, "I want to thank the victim in this case for their bravery and strength in coming forward and speaking to us and their commitment throughout the course of the investigation."

Detective Davies emphasized the profound impact of the abuse, describing it as a "dreadful ordeal for a young child to have to go through when they should have been free to enjoy their childhood." She highlighted the importance of speaking out, noting that even after many years, victims can still seek justice. "By speaking out, even after so many years, they have made sure that Newth is behind bars where he can’t hurt anyone else," she said.

The detective also issued a message to others who might be hesitant to report abuse, reassuring the public that law enforcement takes all reports seriously regardless of the passage of time. "I hope that anyone out there who thinks we won’t take their report seriously because years have passed know that they can still speak to us," she added. "I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault, or knows someone who has, to come forward and speak to us. We will listen to you, and we will investigate."