MICHAEL BATTEN'S SHOCKING CHILD SEX ABUSE IN MAESTEG: VICTIM'S TERRIFYING STORY REVEALED

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Maesteg, a 70-year-old man named Michael Batten has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against a young girl over a span of two years. The court heard how Batten, a respected figure in the community and a retired British Rail employee, concealed his dark secret for decades, hiding the abuse from friends, colleagues, and even his wife, Non, a Welsh teacher.

His victim, now in her 30s, bravely came forward after years of suffering in silence. She had endured the trauma of her childhood, which included being sexually abused during visits to Batten’s home, often when his wife was not present. The jury was told that the abuse occurred in secret, with Batten exploiting moments when his wife’s back was turned to carry out his sinister acts. The victim recounted how she was manipulated into believing she was at fault, a tactic Batten used to instill fear and guilt in her mind.

The court was presented with evidence that Batten’s abuse was systematic, spanning two years, beginning when the girl was just eight years old. The victim described how, after years of therapy and suffering physical illnesses believed to be linked to her childhood trauma, she took a year to carefully compose a letter to Batten. Her intention was to confront him and seek some form of remorse. However, upon destroying the letter to prevent his wife from seeing it, Batten responded with a dismissive message, claiming he was “sorry if she mistakenly thought he had done something” and wishing her well for the future. This response prompted her to report the matter to the police and confide in her family, revealing the painful truth she had kept hidden for so long.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Neil Bidder QC emphasized the lasting psychological scars inflicted upon the victim. Despite Batten’s age, poor health, and the significant passage of time since the offenses, the judge made it clear that justice must be served. Batten, who is in remission from prostate cancer, was told he would be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely and that he would be subject to a lifelong ban from working with children. The judge explained that this restriction was deemed necessary to protect the public, especially considering Batten’s history of grooming and manipulation.

Judge Bidder also highlighted the profound impact of Batten’s actions on the victim’s life. He described how Batten’s grooming led her to believe she was complicit in the abuse, with one chilling moment involving a police car parked outside, which terrified her into guilt and silence. The victim’s teenage years were marred by the need to pretend nothing had happened, even during family gatherings and on Christmas Day, which further compounded her suffering. The court heard how her trust was shattered, and her confidence was destroyed by Batten’s calculated manipulation.

In her testimony, the victim described how Batten’s subtle grooming tactics gradually escalated into abuse, leaving her feeling helpless and terrified. She recounted how she was made to believe that their secret was something she had to keep, and that revealing it would result in her and her family being taken away by the police. Her account was corroborated by friends she confided in over the years, who confirmed her story and her vulnerability as a child.

Batten’s defense argued that the letter she sent was from a “disturbed mind” and that there was no truth to her allegations. He claimed to have destroyed the letter to protect his wife from distress. However, the court was told that Batten had admitted to viewing pornography and had disposed of a defective hard disc from his computer, raising questions about his honesty and remorse.

As the case concluded, Judge Bidder criticized Batten’s defense for misleading the jury and demanded a written apology. Sentencing is scheduled for next month, with the court making it clear that Batten’s actions have caused irreparable harm to his victim and that justice must be upheld to prevent further harm to the community of Maesteg.