JOSEPH HULLEY FROM SEVEN SISTERS SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN SWANSEA

In June 2011, a disturbing case involving serious sexual offenses against minors unfolded in Swansea, with the perpetrator hailing from the area of Seven Sisters. Joseph Aaron Hulley, aged 20 and formerly residing on Station Terrace in Seven Sisters, was convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl and was subsequently sentenced to a term of four years and four months in a young offenders' institution after he pleaded guilty to the charges.

During the same court hearing at Swansea Crown Court, a 17-year-old youth also appeared, admitting to sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. The prosecutor, Patrick Griffiths, revealed that the girl Hulley assaulted was a close friend of the 13-year-old victim. The court was informed that both defendants had engaged in their criminal activities during February and March of that year.

According to the prosecution, the crimes were committed after Hulley initiated contact with one of the girls through Facebook, which led to three separate meetings where the offenses took place. During these encounters, Hulley engaged in sexual acts with the 12-year-old girl, repeatedly molesting her, while the 17-year-old youth groped the 13-year-old girl on two occasions. The prosecutor clarified that there was no evidence to suggest that the girls were forced to participate against their will. However, given their young ages, the court recognized that they were not legally capable of consenting to such acts.

It was also revealed that each of these incidents occurred after the girls had secretly left a house where they had been staying overnight with the 12-year-old’s grandmother. The court heard that the police became involved after the grandmother raised concerns in March upon discovering the girls had been out all night. Both Hulley and the 17-year-old made unsolicited, incriminating comments when approached by detectives. During formal police interviews, Hulley chose to exercise his right to remain silent, while the 17-year-old fully confessed to the offenses.

In mitigation, the defense lawyer Dyfed Thomas stated that Hulley was aware that his actions were wrong, acknowledging the gravity of his misconduct. The court’s decision reflected the serious nature of the crimes committed by Hulley in the Swansea area, specifically highlighting the dangers posed to vulnerable minors in the community of Seven Sisters.