JAMES THOMAS FROM CARMARTHEN SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN WALES

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Carmarthen and the wider region of Wales, James Thomas, a 42-year-old man from Mansel Street, Carmarthen, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offences involving young girls. The crimes, which spanned over a period of six years, involved the sexual abuse of two vulnerable girls, one of whom was as young as five years old when the abuse began.

Thomas was charged with a total of 21 offences, including various forms of rape—oral, anal, and vaginal—as well as sexual assault and incitement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Despite his vehement denial of all charges, the evidence presented during the trial at Swansea Crown Court proved overwhelming. The court found him guilty of all counts, which included nine counts of raping a child under 13, two counts of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual acts, and ten counts of sexual assault on a child under 13.

The trial, which took place in March, culminated in a sentencing hearing where Judge Catherine Richards addressed the court. She described Thomas’s actions as a calculated and manipulative campaign against two young, vulnerable victims. The judge emphasized that the abuse was not isolated but part of a sustained pattern of exploitation, with one girl subjected to what could be accurately described as a 'campaign of rape.'

Having reviewed all the evidence, including a pre-sentence report, Judge Richards expressed her concern that Thomas posed a significant risk of reoffending. She stated that an extended sentence was necessary to ensure public safety and prevent further harm. Consequently, Thomas was sentenced to a 24-year extended term, consisting of 22 years in prison followed by a two-year licence period. Under the terms of his sentence, he is required to serve at least two-thirds of the custodial period before being eligible to apply for parole. The ultimate decision regarding his release will rest with the Parole Board.

Furthermore, Thomas 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. The court also heard emotional victim impact statements from the two young girls, who detailed the profound psychological scars left by the abuse. They described feelings of fear around men, social isolation, nightmares, flashbacks, and resorting to self-harm as ways to cope with their emotional pain. As victims of sexual offences, their identities are protected by lifelong legal anonymity.

Earlier in March 2022, Thomas was found guilty after a five-day trial of similar charges, including the rape and abuse of children. The case was initiated following a complaint from one of the victims, which led to his arrest by Dyfed-Powys Police in January 2020. During the trial, Thomas maintained his innocence, claiming that the victims had fabricated their stories. However, the court’s verdict was clear, and he was convicted on all counts, highlighting the gravity of his crimes and the devastating impact on his victims.