JASON BENNETT THOMAS OF BANGOR SENTENCED TO 19 YEARS FOR ABUSING YOUNG GIRLS

In a case that has shocked the community of Bangor, Jason Bennett Thomas has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of multiple serious sexual offences involving young girls. The conviction follows a detailed trial at Caernarfon Crown Court, where the jury deliberated over charges that spanned over a decade and a half.

Thomas, aged 47 and residing in Caerhun, Bangor, faced a total of 11 charges related to the sexual abuse of two young girls. The offences included allegations of rape and sexual assault, with incidents occurring in different periods, one of which was as recent as 2015. Despite his initial denial of all charges, the jury returned a guilty verdict on all counts after a five-day trial.

Throughout the proceedings, Thomas maintained a stoic demeanor, showing no visible emotion as Judge Huw Rees delivered the sentence. The judge described the case as involving the most serious sexual offences, emphasizing the betrayal of trust involved. He stated, “You have been found guilty of the most serious sexual offences by a jury. You ingratiated yourself into their lives for your own selfish purposes.”

Judge Rees further criticized Thomas for his refusal to accept responsibility, noting that he had provided a “totally lying account” to the jury, which had forced the victims to give evidence against him. The court sentenced Thomas to 19 years in prison, with an additional year added to his license period, making the total custodial sentence 20 years. Furthermore, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and was subject to a sexual harm prevention order, which prohibits him from having any unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16.

During the trial, the court heard disturbing details from the victims’ statements. One of the victims, now an adult and a mother, described how the abuse had left her with ongoing anxiety and sleep disturbances. She expressed fears about her children’s safety, revealing the long-lasting impact of Thomas’s actions. The other victim, still a schoolgirl at the time, reported having difficulty sleeping and experiencing nightmares involving a man dressed in black, which she linked to her abuse.

Earlier, in November 2017, Thomas was also found guilty of similar offences involving another young girl. The jury, composed of eight men and four women, convicted him after a five-day trial at Caernarfon Crown Court. During the proceedings, the court heard that Thomas had denied all allegations, claiming innocence and denying any involvement in the incidents.

Following the verdict, Thomas was remanded in custody, with the judge ordering a report to assess his risk to the public, particularly young women. His sentencing was scheduled for December 20, and no bail was granted. The court also heard that the offences against the younger girl involved two separate incidents, which she disclosed to her mother after confiding in friends. The jury was shown a video interview in which the victim described being taken for rides in Thomas’s car and being given substances she believed to be drugs, including cannabis and what she thought was amphetamine. Thomas denied these allegations, asserting that the woman had never been in his car and that he had never supplied her with drugs.

The case has left a lasting impact on the Bangor community, with family members of the victims present in court to witness the sentencing. The court’s decision underscores the severity of the crimes committed by Jason Bennett Thomas and highlights the importance of justice for victims of sexual abuse.