PHILLIP HOUSE FROM ABERGAVENNY SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR CHILD ABUSE IN CARDIFF AND NEWPORT

In a case that has shocked the community of Abergavenny and the surrounding areas, Phillip House, aged 59, was handed a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of a series of heinous crimes committed against a young girl. The offences, which spanned over multiple incidents, included rape, gross indecency, and indecent assault, leaving the victim psychologically scarred and deeply traumatized.

House, who resides on Brecon Road in Abergavenny, was found guilty following a rigorous six-day trial held at Newport Crown Court last month. The court heard that he had subjected the young girl to five separate acts of rape, two instances of gross indecency, and four separate indecent assaults. The severity and number of these offences painted a disturbing picture of abuse that inflicted lasting emotional and psychological damage on the victim.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Philip Richards expressed his condemnation of House’s actions, describing them as an "appalling catalogue of crimes." The judge emphasized the gravity of the offences, stating, "I have to sentence you for an appalling catalogue of crimes, 11 in total, to reflect some of the abuse which you committed against her. You dreadfully abused her." The judge also highlighted the importance of deterring others from similar conduct and acknowledged the psychological harm inflicted on the young girl, which included feelings of terror and profound emotional distress.

In mitigation, House’s defense lawyer, David Pinnell, provided context regarding his client’s health issues. Pinnell explained that House had been diagnosed with depression approximately a year prior to the trial and had been prescribed medication while on remand. He further detailed that House had suffered from various ailments, including a chest infection, which led to the removal of one half of his lungs. Pinnell also noted that House had ceased working four years ago due to health complications and was facing additional medical procedures, including hip replacements due to arthritis and an exploratory operation for lower spine pains.

The court sentenced House to 15 years in prison for the five counts of rape. Additionally, he received a five-year sentence for a single count of indecent assault and a ten-year term for three other counts of indecent assault. All these sentences are to run concurrently. Furthermore, House was sentenced to four years for two counts of indecency with a child, also to run concurrently. The judge made it clear that House would serve half of his total sentence before being eligible for release. As part of the court’s measures to protect the community, House was permanently barred from working with children and was placed under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which prohibits him from having any contact with children under the age of 16.

Judge Richards concluded by underscoring the seriousness of the crimes and the need for ongoing safeguards, ensuring that House would remain under supervision for the foreseeable future, reflecting the gravity of his offences and the impact on his young victim.