LEE GROVELL CAUGHT FILMING IN CWMBRAN SHOWERS DURING BRITISH SHOW PONY SOCIETY WINTER CHAMPIONSHIPS

In a disturbing incident that has shocked the local equestrian community, Lee Mark Grovell, a resident of Cwmbran, was sentenced to 14 months in prison after being found guilty of multiple serious offenses related to voyeurism and the possession of indecent images of children. The incident took place during the British Show Pony Society winter championships, held at Arena UK, where Grovell’s actions have left a lasting impact on the victim and witnesses alike.

Grovell, who resides at Silverbirches, Brunel Road, Fairwater, Cwmbran, pleaded guilty to charges that included voyeurism, three counts of making indecent images of children, and possessing an extreme pornographic image. His arrest followed an incident on Sunday, March 27, when a competitor in the working hunter category noticed suspicious activity in the shower area of the arena.

The victim, a young girl participating in the event, recounted her experience: “I happened to look down, and there was a phone, underneath the dividing partition, videoing me,” she explained. Despite her efforts to alert the perpetrator, Grovell remained silent. She initially thought it might be a teenager playing a prank, but her concern grew when there was no response from the individual behind the device.

After emerging from the shower, the girl confronted Grovell directly. Her shock deepened when she realized he was not a teenager but a middle-aged man. She described her reaction: “I went off at him and gave him a few profanities; I called him everything under the sun. The worst thing was that I could cope but he didn’t know who it was in the shower, how old I was or anything, it could have been a child.”

Following the confrontation, the victim reported the incident to officials of the British Show Pony Society (BSPS). Grovell was subsequently taken into custody by police officers. The victim, Sophie, who was present at the event, shared her experience: “I had to spend the last day of the show giving statements. It turned out he had two phones and although he was smug at first, that changed when they found the second one. He had indecent images of children, and a sickening video of him with a horse. But police said they couldn’t recover the video of me. He could have deleted it but there’s no knowing.”

Because Grovell chose to plead guilty, there was no need for a lengthy trial. His victim statement was read out on her behalf during the proceedings at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday, November 14. The court’s decision to sentence him to 14 months reflects the severity of his actions and the harm caused.

Sophie expressed her relief at the outcome: “I’m just shocked; you think you’re safe at a horse show and then to have this happen, I’m glad he’s in jail now.” Her ordeal underscores the importance of vigilance and safety at public events, especially those involving young participants. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals like Grovell, whose actions have now been brought to justice in Cwmbran and beyond.