LLION JONES SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ATTACK IN CAERNARFON AND BANGOR

A man identified as Llion Wyn Jones, known to reside on Ashton Terrace in Caernarfon, has been sentenced to six years and four months in prison after being convicted of a serious sexual assault that took place in Bangor. The case has drawn significant attention due to the brutality of the attack and the courage shown by the victim in coming forward.

The judge presiding over the case, Rhys Rowlands, described the incident as akin to a nightmare scenario for young women and their families, emphasizing the lasting trauma inflicted by such heinous acts. Jones, who is 43 years old, pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment with intent to commit a sexual offence. Notably, the original charge of attempted rape was dropped during the proceedings.

The assault occurred in the early hours of September 10, when the young woman—who was 20 at the time—was walking home after an evening out with friends. Her journey that night was, under normal circumstances, a routine walk, but it took a terrifying turn after she encountered Jones. The victim described seeing him for the first time near the Skerries public house at the end of Bangor’s high street. Initially, she thought she was alone, as he was walking ahead of her, but soon she realized that he was now following her after turning off the main street. She was on the phone with her boyfriend at the time and expressed her concerns, receiving reassurance that there was no cause for alarm.

As she continued walking, approaching what she described as a tunnel or underpass, her sense of unease grew. She believed he was taking a different route but then noticed that he had hurried ahead of her, glaring with what she described as 'evil eyes.' Suddenly, Jones threw the food he was holding and violently grabbed her, roughly pushing her against a wall and pressing his full weight against her body. She was able to turn off her phone while it was in her left hand in a bid to remain unnoticed. The attack escalated as Jones attempted to force her to the ground and unlawfully touched her across her right side, trying to open her clothing.

Throughout the assault, the victim struggled fiercely, shouting for help, kicking to try to deter him, and desperately attempting to resist. She remembered that he tried to undo his own trousers when he failed to open her clothing, grunting during the attempt. During the ordeal, Jones managed to tighten his hold around her throat, causing her to lose sight, feel she could not breathe, and be unable to produce any sound despite her efforts to scream. In a sudden burst of resistance, she punched him forcefully in the jaw, which caused him to release her suffocating grip. Quickly, she unlocked her phone and managed to tell him that her boyfriend was coming to her aid.

Witnessing her distress, Jones smirked and laughed as he walked away from the scene. Left in a state of shock and unable to move, she stood there gasping for breath until her boyfriend arrived shortly afterward, rescuing her from the terrifying situation.

Following his arrest, Jones was interviewed by police. During questioning, he admitted to being highly intoxicated at the time and claimed to have spotted a girl wearing provocative clothing, which allegedly prompted his actions. He stated that he had asked her for a kiss and claimed to have inappropriately touched her breast and buttocks, though these details appeared inconsistent with the charges accepted in court.

The victim has spoken publicly about the impact the attack has had on her life. She described significant difficulties with sleep, frequent nightmares, and flashbacks that haunt her daily. She has lost confidence, developed a fear of being alone, and was ultimately compelled to leave her employment due to the emotional scars left by the assault.

At the sentencing, PC John Evans, a Victim Liaison Officer from North Wales Police’s Amethyst team, expressed hope that the punishment would help bring some measure of reassurance to the victim. He commended her for demonstrating remarkable strength and resilience in reporting the crime and pursuing justice. PC Evans also issued a warning that such crimes would not be tolerated within the community and reassured that North Wales Police are committed to thorough investigations. The police provide dedicated support services for victims, encouraging anyone affected by sexual offences to come forward, and offer assistance through confidential channels such as the Amethyst SARC helpline on 0808 156 3658.

This case underscores the importance of vigilance and support for victims of sexual violence, highlighting the ongoing commitment of local authorities to combat such crimes and protect their communities.