HYWEL EDWARDS FROM LLANHILLETH SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES IN MERTHYR AND CARDIFF

In a significant case that has drawn considerable attention across the Valleys region, Hywel Edwards, a 24-year-old man from Llanhilleth, was sentenced to a substantial prison term after being convicted of serious sexual offenses involving a teenage girl. The proceedings took place at Cardiff Crown Court, following a trial at Merthyr Crown Court where Edwards faced multiple charges.

Hywel Edwards had previously entered a guilty plea to a single charge of sexual activity with a child during an earlier hearing. However, he maintained his innocence on five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, denying those allegations. Despite his pleas, a jury at Merthyr Crown Court found him guilty of all charges except one of the rape counts last month, leading to his conviction on the remaining counts.

The court sentenced Edwards to a total of eight years in prison. This sentence includes seven years for each of the rape convictions and an additional 12 months for the sexual assault charge. The sexual activity with a child charge resulted in a further 12 months, which will be served consecutively, thereby increasing the overall sentence. The court also ordered that Edwards's time served since his arrest last November be deducted from his sentence.

During the sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge David Wynn Morgan emphasized the profound psychological impact of Edwards’s actions, stating, “The consequences psychologically have been grave.” The judge also mandated that Edwards be placed on the Sexual Offenders’ Register for life and adhere to a sexual harm prevention order upon his release from prison.

In addition to the prison terms, Edwards’s conviction has serious ongoing implications. He will be subject to lifelong registration as a sex offender and must comply with strict conditions designed to prevent further harm. The sentences for the rape charges will run concurrently, while the sentence for sexual activity with a child will be served separately, resulting in the total of eight years.

Furthermore, the court addressed concerning behavior exhibited by Edwards’s family following the verdicts. The judge revealed that he received an email from a juror involved in the trial, who reported being intimidated by Edwards’s relatives outside Merthyr Crown Court. The juror claimed they were told their verdict had “destroyed” Edwards’s life. The judge also recounted witnessing individuals outside the court clamoring around a prison vehicle on May 5, attempting to communicate with Edwards as he was being transported back to prison.

While acknowledging these incidents, Judge Morgan clarified that such behavior could not influence the sentencing process. He warned that any disruption or disturbance within the court premises during the sentencing hearing would result in immediate arrest. The judge emphasized that the actions of Edwards’s family and supporters did not impact the legal proceedings or the severity of his sentence.

At the conclusion of the hearing, as Edwards was taken to begin his prison term, he acknowledged the court with a thumbs-up gesture to the public gallery. His relatives responded by blowing kisses towards him, reflecting a mixture of support and emotional response to the sentencing.

This case underscores the ongoing issues surrounding sexual offenses in the Valleys and highlights the judicial system’s efforts to deliver justice while addressing the wider community concerns about intimidation and misconduct related to such serious crimes.