HUGHIE JANES FROM LLWYNHENDY SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN SWANSEA

In June 2022, Hughie Janes, a resident of Llwynhendy, was subjected to a severe legal judgment following his conviction for heinous sexual offenses involving a young boy. The case was heard at Swansea Crown Court, where the details of his crimes and his disturbing beliefs were laid bare for the court and the public to understand.

Janes, aged 27, was found guilty of raping an 11-year-old boy at an address in Carmarthenshire. The court heard that during the assault, Janes forcibly covered the child's mouth and then engaged in oral sex with him. The prosecution, led by John Philpotts, revealed that upon arrest, Janes provided a prepared statement denying the allegations but refused to answer further questions, showing a clear lack of remorse.

Janes, who resides at Clos Cefn y Maes, Llwynhendy, Llanelli, had a long history of criminal behavior, with 11 previous convictions spanning 18 offenses. These included crimes related to dishonesty, drug offenses, and violence, indicating a pattern of criminal conduct over the years.

The court was presented with a detailed and concerning pre-sentence report that painted a disturbing picture of Janes's beliefs and attitude towards his crimes. The report revealed that Janes believed children of primary school age are aware of sexual activity and that they 'wanted it.' He also expressed the view that he was providing pleasure to the boy he assaulted and did not see his actions as criminal.

Judge IWL Jones, presiding over the case, emphasized the lifelong impact such abuse could have on the victim. He highlighted that Janes's own statements and the report indicated a dangerous mindset, with Janes believing he had committed a pleasurable act and seeing nothing wrong with engaging in sexual acts with children. The report further concluded that Janes lacked remorse, empathy, and understanding of the harm caused, posing a significant risk of reoffending.

Given these findings, the judge determined that only an extended custodial sentence could adequately protect the public. Janes was sentenced to a total of 12 and a half years, which included six and a half years in prison, followed by an extended six-year license period. The sentence was reduced by one-third due to his guilty plea. He is required to serve at least two-thirds of his custodial term before being eligible for parole, with the final decision resting with the Parole Board. Additionally, Janes will be registered as a sex offender for the remainder of his life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to society.