JACK ROBERTS FROM CWMBRAN SENTENCED FOR RAPE OF TEENAGER IN CARDIFF CROWN COURT

In May 2022, a disturbing case unfolded at Cardiff Crown Court involving Jack Roberts, a 21-year-old man from Cwmbran, who was convicted of raping a teenage girl. The incident, which took place in Cwmbran, revealed a pattern of selfish and predatory behavior that left the victim deeply traumatized.

According to court proceedings, Roberts forcibly restrained his young victim during the assault, demonstrating a brutal and aggressive approach. After the attack, he attempted to manipulate her into silence by warning her not to disclose what had happened to her family or to law enforcement authorities. This coercive behavior underscored his intent to conceal the crime and avoid accountability.

During the trial, Roberts denied the allegations of rape, claiming that the sexual contact was consensual. However, the jury was not convinced by his version of events and found him guilty of the charges. Roberts, who resides on Hinter Path, Fairwater, Cwmbran, appeared in court on Friday, May 6, for sentencing proceedings.

The victim’s statement, which was read aloud in court, painted a harrowing picture of the lasting impact of the assault. She described suffering from severe anxiety and depression, with persistent sleep disturbances and panic attacks. Her testimony revealed that she now feels uncomfortable around males, even in everyday situations such as using public transport. The trauma has also forced her to abandon her educational pursuits, illustrating the profound and far-reaching consequences of Roberts’ actions.

Judge Bilal Siddique addressed Roberts directly, condemning his actions by stating that he had “cared only for your own selfish sexual desires” when committing the assault. The judge expressed disappointment in Roberts’ apparent lack of remorse, noting that the defendant had maintained his innocence in his pre-sentence report. The judge also described Roberts’ post-incident behavior as “manipulative,” further highlighting his callousness.

Roberts was sentenced to six and a half years of detention in a young offenders’ institution. Additionally, he will be subject to lifelong registration as a sex offender, a measure designed to monitor and prevent further offenses. The sentencing was met with emotional reactions from the public gallery, where supporters expressed their support through shouts and kisses as Roberts was taken away to begin his detention.