OWEN DAVID AND SHOCKING CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN BARRY
An individual described as an 'extremely dangerous' paedophile, Owen David, 30, of Barry, has been found guilty of breaching a court-imposed order by engaging in inappropriate online communications with young boys on Instagram.The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by individuals with a history of child sexual offences.
Owen David's criminal record includes a previous conviction in 2020, when he was sentenced to prison after attempting to meet a child following grooming activities and possessing images of child abuse.
As part of his punishment, he was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), which explicitly prohibited him from having any contact with children.
Despite these restrictions, recent events have demonstrated that he continued to pose a significant threat.
The incident came to light during a routine monitoring session conducted by a probation officer.
On June 6 of the previous year, the officer accessed David's Instagram account and discovered that he was following 60 accounts belonging to young boys.
Prosecutor Jeffrey Jones explained that David had also sent a message to one of these boys that read 'DM for pics,' which was interpreted as a request for indecent images.
This indicated an attempt to solicit photographs from minors.
Further investigation revealed that an offender manager managed to obtain the password to David's Instagram account.
Upon viewing the account, it was found that David was following an account belonging to a 15-year-old boy.
However, as the officer examined the account, the young person's posts and connections were being deleted, suggesting an attempt to conceal his activities.
The following day, Owen David was arrested, and authorities seized an Alcatel mobile phone from him.
A forensic analysis of the device uncovered two images of children that were considered borderline in nature.
More alarmingly, investigators found a category C image depicting a boy estimated to be between eight and ten years old, exposing his hip—a highly concerning piece of evidence indicating the possession of indecent images of minors.
Initially, David denied any wrongdoing, but he later admitted to breaching his SHPO and possessing indecent images.
The court was informed that he had previously been sentenced to two years in prison in 2020, followed by an additional 18 months for related offences.
At the time of the current breach, he was under a strict 10-year SHPO.
During the hearing, Martha Smith-Higgins, representing David, stated that her client had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and was 'candid' about his sexual interests in children.
She also noted that David had cooperated with police, providing details about the indecent images and indicating where they could be found on his device.
Judge Daniel Williams delivered the sentence, emphasizing the severity of David's actions and his dangerousness.
He remarked, 'You have a terrible record in relation to child sexual offences.
It's clear from everything I have heard about you—you are extremely dangerous.
This is a serious breach of the SHPO.' Owen David was sentenced to a total of three years and two months in prison.
Additionally, he was subjected to a new SHPO and lifelong sex offender notification requirements, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the public from further harm.
