JOHN CHARLES FROM PORT TALBOT SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL IN NEATH AND PORT TALBOT

A man named John Charles, residing on Villiers Street in Briton Ferry, has been convicted of sexually abusing a young girl over a period of more than two years, with the abuse taking place across various locations in Neath and Port Talbot, including a disturbing incident on Aberavon seafront. The court heard that Charles, aged 65, engaged in repeated acts of sexual assault against the girl, often calling her 'sexy' and 'beautiful' during these encounters. These assaults were not confined to a single location but occurred at multiple sites within the region, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior that spanned over an extended period.

The abuse came to light when the young victim confided in her teacher during a school lesson focused on relationships, sexual consent, and puberty. At the end of the class, the teacher asked students to write down any questions they might have, and it was during this exercise that the girl disclosed being 'touched.' Following her disclosure, the school's head of personal care spoke with her, and authorities were promptly notified. An investigation was launched, revealing the full extent of Charles's misconduct.

The court was informed that Charles had sexually assaulted the girl on multiple occasions, often calling her 'sexy' and 'beautiful' during these encounters. One of these incidents took place in Charles's vehicle, which was parked at Aberavon seafront. Additionally, Charles took intimate photographs of the young girl, further demonstrating the severity of his offending. When arrested and questioned by police, Charles denied all allegations, claiming that the girl was fabricating the story out of spite and had no basis in truth.

The impact of Charles's actions on the victim was profound. In a statement read aloud in court, she described feeling 'lonely and lost,' struggling to concentrate at school, and experiencing a decline in her academic performance. She also shared that she suffers from uncontrollable flashbacks and feels she has 'lost the life' she once had before the abuse. The girl expressed her fears that no one would believe her and revealed her desire to move forward with her life. She now aims to pursue training in education and social care, motivated by her wish to help other girls who might be in similar situations, just as teachers and social workers once helped her.

John Victor Charles, who previously pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial to multiple counts of sexual assault and possession of indecent images of a child, appeared in court for sentencing. He has no prior convictions but has been diagnosed with prostate cancer shortly after the allegations surfaced. His legal representative, David Singh, stated that Charles had lost his good name and was aware that a lengthy prison sentence was inevitable.

Judge Geraint Walters described Charles's offending as 'persistent, repeated, and relentless,' emphasizing the devastating and lifelong impact such crimes can have on victims. The judge highlighted that, without the courageous disclosures made by the girl during her school lesson, Charles might have continued his abuse for many more years. Considering his guilty pleas, the judge sentenced Charles to 10 years in prison, with a two-thirds custodial period before release on licence. Additionally, Charles will be subject to a lifelong registration as a sex offender and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order to restrict his access to children, reflecting the court's commitment to public safety and justice.