MARK OWEN FROM CAERPHILLY AND CWMBRAN CAUGHT IN HORRIFIC CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN WALES

In a series of disturbing incidents spanning over a decade, Mark Owen, a man with connections to Caerphilly and Cwmbran, has been convicted and sentenced for multiple serious sexual offences involving underage girls in Wales.

In March 2017, Owen, aged 49, was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison after being found guilty of engaging in a predatory and illegal relationship with a young girl. The court heard that Owen had met the girl at Machynlleth train station, where he approached her, kissed her, and cuddled her in a manner that was both inappropriate and illegal. The judge, Mr. Justice Peter Heywood, emphasized that Owen posed a significant risk to any girl under the age of 16, and his actions demonstrated a clear intent to engage in sexual activity with minors.

During the trial, it was revealed that Owen had been under license from prison at the time, having previously served time for similar offences. He was also subject to a restraining order prohibiting contact with minors. Despite these legal restrictions, Owen continued to make contact with the girl through online messaging, which was a key factor in his conviction. The court was shown evidence of over 1,400 messages exchanged between Owen and the girl, including 161 messages on September 26, 2015, the day he traveled to Machynlleth to meet her. These messages contained explicit language and references to sexual activity, with Owen suggesting they go into the woods to engage in sexual acts and even asking how many babies she would want.

Although sexual intercourse did not occur on that day, the court was told that Owen made further arrangements to meet the girl in the subsequent days. CCTV footage from Machynlleth captured Owen arriving at the station, despite him attempting to conceal his identity by pulling up a hood and wearing sunglasses. After his arrest, Owen denied any contact with the girl, but evidence from a handwriting expert confirmed that he had written a letter to her while in custody, requesting photographs of her. When questioned by police, Owen again denied responsibility for the messages and letter, but the court found the evidence compelling.

Owen admitted to engaging in sexual activity with a girl under 16, breaching both his license conditions and a sexual harm prevention order. His criminal history includes a 2006 community order for sexual activity with three girls under 13, and a 2009 prison sentence of five years for sexual activity with a girl under 16, along with breaching previous orders. Judge Heywood described Owen as a dangerous offender, highlighting his predatory behavior and deviant interests in young girls. The court was particularly concerned about the impact of his threats on the Machynlleth girl, who was too frightened to leave her home even when Owen was in prison.

Owen was sentenced to serve a minimum of six years and four months before being eligible for parole. The judge made it clear that Owen’s actions and history demonstrated a pattern of dangerous and predatory behavior, and he was warned that further misconduct could lead to even harsher penalties.

Earlier incidents include a 2017 case where Owen, then 48, was convicted of grooming and indecent assault on a schoolgirl in Machynlleth. Owen, who had no fixed address after his release from prison, admitted to the charges and breaching a sexual harm prevention order. The court postponed sentencing to consider whether to impose an extended sentence, and Owen was remanded in custody.

Further back in 2006, Owen, a father of four from Cwmbran, was sentenced to a three-year community rehabilitation order after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a young girl in 2004. The assaults involved touching her on the buttocks and thigh over her clothing, as well as kissing her. Owen’s criminal record also includes a five-year prison sentence in 2009 for similar offences, during which he breached previous orders. The court imposed strict conditions, including registration as a sex offender for five years and a prohibition on contact with girls under 16.

Throughout these proceedings, Owen’s character was scrutinized, with his legal representatives arguing that he needed help and that there was no ongoing danger of future harm. However, the court’s primary concern remained the safety of children and the need to protect them from individuals like Owen, whose history and recent actions demonstrated a clear pattern of predatory behavior and disregard for the law.