March 2020
Cwmbran paedophile jailed for more than 20 years A paedophile who preyed on boys and subjected them to “horrific sexual abuse” has been jailed for more than 20 years. Matthew Pearce was locked up after admitting a catalogue of historical and recent offences against children. The 40-year-old, of Pontnewydd Walk, Cwmbran, pleaded guilty to 21 offences, including four counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault. His appalling crimes took place between 1996 and 2019, prosecutor Roger Griffiths said. The defendant also admitted possession of indecent images of children. Judge Nicola Jones jailed the defendant for 20 years and seven months. The sentence is made up of a prison term of 13 years and seven months with an extended licence period of seven years. Pearce will have to register as a sex offender for life.