NEIL WELLS FROM PENHILL AND SWINDON SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING CHILDREN

In April 2018, Neil Wells, a man with a disturbing history of sexual offenses against minors, admitted to abusing two additional young girls, further complicating his already notorious criminal record. Wells, who previously served time for a series of heinous sex crimes, now faces the prospect of many more years behind bars following these new convictions.

Neil Wells, aged 53 and formerly residing on Newton Way in Penhill, Swindon, as well as Rudman Park in Chippenham, appeared at Swindon Crown Court via videolink from the Isle of Wight, where he is currently incarcerated. During this brief hearing, Wells pleaded guilty to four counts related to sexual misconduct: two counts of gross indecency with a child and two counts of indecent assault. These charges included multiple incidents involving the same girl, who was approximately 12 years old at the time, and another girl under the age of 14. All these offenses took place within the geographical confines of Swindon, spanning from September 1998 to Boxing Day 2001.

The court was informed that the new allegations stemmed from circumstances similar to those of his previous offenses, which he had contested during a lengthy trial but was ultimately found guilty. His defense attorney, Chris Smyth, stated that Wells was preparing to submit an application for parole later in the year. However, the recent convictions significantly diminish his chances of early release and could result in him serving many additional years in prison.

Judge Robert Pawson adjourned the case to Thursday, May 10, and remanded Wells into custody until that date. The proceedings highlighted the gravity of Wells' actions, which involved repeated sexual abuse of vulnerable young girls during the late 1990s and early 2000s. His previous conviction in 2010 was for a staggering 41 sexual offenses committed over a 12-year period from 1995 to 2007. These included 10 counts of rape, 25 counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault of a child, and three counts of taking indecent images of children. His victims, primarily from Swindon, ranged in age from as young as 11 years old.

During the 2010 sentencing, Judge Douglas Field described Wells' actions as a gross breach of trust, emphasizing that he exploited young girls to satisfy his depraved sexual desires. The judge noted that Wells had befriended these girls, allowing them to smoke, drink alcohol, and watch pornography at his home to manipulate and entice them. One of the victims' innocence was irreparably damaged, and Wells was deemed a significant risk to the public. Following his conviction, Wells was sentenced to an indeterminate term with a minimum tariff of nine-and-a-half years, after which he would be eligible to apply for parole. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register and prohibited from working with children in the future.

Among the most harrowing accounts is that of Keona Wells, his own daughter, who was just shy of her 11th birthday when her father began abusing her. Keona, now 20, bravely shared her story, revealing that her father inappropriately touched and raped her repeatedly, manipulating her into believing this behavior was normal. It took her over seven years to summon the courage to report her abuse to the police. She described her father as a controlling figure who treated her like a sex slave, dictating her actions, controlling her social interactions, and even expressing a disturbing desire to have children with her, considering her as a wife or girlfriend.

Keona recounted that her father, who was also known for his work as a DJ and for fundraising activities for the British Heart Foundation, had even expressed a desire to have her first child, claiming he loved her in a manner akin to a romantic partner. She revealed that she experienced multiple pregnancy scares between 2004 and 2007, which underscored the severity of her trauma. Her account highlights the profound impact of her father's abuse, which she hopes will encourage other potential victims to come forward.

Keona expressed her ongoing pain and anger, stating, “I will never forgive him for what he did to me.” She also described how her father’s manipulative behavior extended to preventing her from attending school and seeing friends, further isolating her and deepening her suffering. Her realization that something was wrong began at age 17, prompting her to run away from home and seek a better life. Despite her efforts to rebuild her life, she acknowledged that healing from such deep psychological wounds will take many years.

If anyone, whether a concerned adult or a child, suspects abuse or needs support, they are encouraged to contact the NSPCC helpline at 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected]. Keona’s story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need to protect vulnerable children from predators like Neil Wells, whose crimes have left indelible scars on his victims’ lives.