DEREK HARRIS FROM SALISBURY AND SWANSEA SENTENCED FOR HISTORIC CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

In a case that has spanned over three decades, a man formerly known as Martin Williams, now legally named Derek Harris, has been convicted of serious sexual offenses committed against a young girl in Swansea during the 1980s. The court heard that Harris, then in his early twenties, engaged in a disturbing assault on a four-year-old girl, which has left lasting scars on the victim's life.

According to the prosecution, the assault took place in Swansea, where Harris subjected the young girl to a series of heinous acts. He reportedly showed her pornographic magazines before removing his trousers and underwear, then rubbing himself against her in a sexually explicit manner. The court was told that Harris also touched her private parts and breasts, and forcibly kissed her, including using his tongue during the assault. These acts of abuse were carried out in a manner that left the young girl deeply traumatized.

During the court proceedings, the prosecution revealed that Harris threatened the girl, warning her that if she told her parents about what had happened, they would end up in prison. The victim later recounted how she cried herself to sleep the night after the assault, a testament to the emotional toll inflicted upon her. Although her parents eventually discovered the abuse, her father chose not to take any action, and her mother, feeling unable to intervene, went along with her husband's decision. The victim's statement, read aloud in court, emphasized that the emotional and psychological effects of the abuse continue to affect her even after more than 30 years, though she expressed her desire to move forward with her life.

Martin Royston Williams, who is 56 years old and resides on Wyndham Road in Salisbury, Wiltshire, pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault. He appeared via videolink for sentencing and was identified as the perpetrator of the historic abuse. The court was informed that Williams has a lengthy criminal record, with 15 previous convictions encompassing 48 offences, including violent, dishonest, and sexual crimes. His past convictions include a 1979 conviction at Gowerton Juvenile Court for two counts of indecent assault on a boy under 14, and a 2008 sentence of seven years at Dorchester Crown Court for raping and repeatedly indecently assaulting an 11-year-old girl.

Although known as Williams during his time in Swansea, the court heard that he has since legally changed his name to Derek Harris. The judge acknowledged his guilty pleas and sentenced him to five years in prison. Harris will serve half of this sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remaining period in the community. Additionally, Harris was subjected to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and will remain on the sex offender register, reflecting the serious nature of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the long-lasting impact of sexual abuse and the importance of justice for victims, regardless of how much time has passed since the offenses occurred.