LUKE BEVERIDGE FROM PEMBROKE SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES IN SWANSEA AND BRIDGEND

In a case that has drawn significant attention in Pembroke and the surrounding areas, Luke Anthony Beveridge, aged 21, has seen his prison sentence extended following the emergence of additional criminal conduct. Beveridge, who was already serving a term for serious sexual offences, is currently incarcerated at Parc Prison in Bridgend. His original sentence, handed down in May 2013, was for three years and four months, after he was convicted of engaging in sexual activities with two girls, both aged 13, when he was just 18 years old.

Initially, Beveridge was expected to be released in January after serving approximately half of his sentence. However, this timeline has now been pushed back by an additional six months following new revelations and subsequent legal proceedings. The extension was announced during a court hearing where the prosecution outlined the details of Beveridge’s latest misconduct.

Prosecutor Huw Rees explained that while Beveridge was being sentenced last year, another teenage girl had been struggling to come forward with her own account of abuse. It was revealed that Beveridge had met her “by arrangement” and had driven her to Cardigan. During this encounter, he parked his vehicle and repeatedly leaned into the back seat to kiss her, despite her clear protests. The situation escalated when Beveridge placed his hand down her trousers and her knickers, even after she explicitly told him to stop. The court heard that Beveridge ceased his actions only when he learned that a friend was approaching the car.

Following these events, by July 2013, while Beveridge was already in custody, the girl was subjected to abusive text messages and harassment on social media platforms. She confided in her father about the incidents, prompting the police to become involved. Beveridge was subsequently arrested while still incarcerated. Initially, he denied any involvement, claiming he had never been inside her car. However, as the investigation progressed, he changed his plea to guilty, admitting to the charges.

Representing Beveridge, lawyer Ian Wright noted that since committing these offences, his client had taken steps towards rehabilitation, including completing several courses while in prison. Despite this, the court had to consider the severity of the offences in relation to the original sentence. Judge Mr. Recorder Ian Murphy emphasized that the court needed to account for what Beveridge’s sentence would have been if all offences had been considered simultaneously in 2013. Consequently, Beveridge was sentenced to an additional six months in prison, which would be added to his existing 40-month sentence.

During the sentencing, the judge remarked sternly, “You hardly knew her. Without any encouragement from her, you took advantage. She made it obvious that she did not want a sexual relationship.” The court also noted that Beveridge was already listed on the sex offenders register, underscoring the seriousness of his criminal history.

Earlier, in May 2013, Beveridge, then 19 and residing at Grove Court Mews in Pembroke, was convicted of multiple sexual offences involving two 13-year-old girls. He was found guilty of persuading both girls to engage in sexual activities with him in his car. The court heard that Beveridge had “relentlessly pursued” underage girls over several months, using his mobile phone to make contact and gather information about their ages. Judge Paul Thomas highlighted that Beveridge was aware of their young ages but was not deterred by this knowledge, fully understanding the potential consequences if he were caught.

Following his arrest, Beveridge initially denied the allegations, claiming he did not even know the girls involved. Judge Thomas expressed disappointment that Beveridge’s actions had caused significant distress to the victims, their families, and even his own family. Despite many people speaking highly of Beveridge, the court recognized the need to protect vulnerable minors from individuals like him. Beveridge was sentenced to three years and four months in a young offenders’ institution and was also subject to a sex offences prevention order, which restricts his activities after release. Additionally, he is required to register as a sex offender with the police, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct in the community.