JOSHUA HARRIES AND SHOCKING SEXUAL ASSAULT IN BRIDGEND

A man named Joshua Harries from Bridgend has been convicted of attempting to sexually assault a young woman during a party and subsequently attempting to deny his actions, attempting to portray her as untruthful. The incident left the victim deeply traumatized, to the extent that she avoided leaving her home for several weeks following the attack.

The case was heard at Cardiff Crown Court, where it was revealed that Harries was sober at the time of the assault, even though the woman he targeted had been drinking. The presiding judge, Recorder Greg Bull KC, commented on the circumstances, stating: "She became extremely tired and in my judgement she became drunk... He took advantage of her knowing she was more or less helpless."

According to court proceedings, Harries, who was 23 years old at the time, took the woman into a bedroom during the gathering. There, he removed all her clothing and proceeded to sexually assault her. The victim later described her experience as feeling like she had "frozen up" during the assault. The court heard that Harries believed she was asleep when he attempted to carry out a rape, but she resisted his advances and managed to prevent the act from occurring.

Harries pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and attempted rape. However, after a jury deliberation, he was found guilty of the charges. During the sentencing hearing, the prosecutor, Ffion Thomas, read a detailed and emotional statement from the victim. She expressed feelings of helplessness and degradation, recounting how Harries made her feel like an object and robbed her of her ability to speak or fight back. The victim also described how she blamed her own body for freezing up, despite her clear lack of consent.

The statement further detailed the victim’s ongoing mental health struggles. She recounted having to undress in front of officers to provide evidence, which intensified her sense of humiliation. She explained that in the weeks following the assault, she fell into depression, struggled to leave her sofa, and only ventured outside during daylight hours when accompanied by someone she trusted, out of fear of being seen.

The victim also shared her current state of heightened anxiety and wariness towards others. She has sought therapy but faced delays due to court proceedings, which exacerbated her mental health issues. She expressed frustration that Harries did not admit to his wrongdoing earlier, which would have spared her the trauma of reliving the incident in court. Despite her suffering, she also conveyed a sense of relief that her case had reached court and that Harries was held accountable, emphasizing her desire to begin healing.

Harries, who resides on Berw Road in Tonypandy, has a prior conviction for drink-driving from the previous year. His defense solicitor, Beth Evans, explained that the drink-driving offense was related to the stress caused by the sexual assault allegations and the ongoing trial. Ms. Evans also noted that since the trial, Harries has apologized for his actions. However, the judge pointed out that Harries had lied to the jury, claiming innocence, which undermined his credibility.

The defense further argued that Harries has shown remorse and has been honest with the probation service, acknowledging the gravity of his actions. They highlighted that he has a supportive family, including his mother, his partner, and her parents, and that he has maintained steady employment.

Despite these points, Recorder Bull was critical of Harries’ conduct, stating: "Your crocodile tears to the probation officer cut little effect, I’m afraid, with me. [The victim] could have been prevented the trauma of waiting for the matter to come to court. You called on the expertise of a King's Counsel to cross-examine the complainant. That is your right and I do not hold it against you, but it shows the depths you were prepared to go to brand the victim a liar. Well, you failed."

In light of the severity of his actions, the judge sentenced Harries to five years in prison. Additionally, he imposed a 10-year restraining order to prevent any contact with the victim. Harries will also be registered as a sex offender indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct.

This case underscores the serious consequences of sexual assault and the importance of holding offenders accountable, as well as the lasting impact such crimes have on victims’ mental health and well-being.