ROGER CARTWRIGHT SENTENCED IN MOUNTAIN ASH FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE AND INDECENT IMAGES

In a case that has shocked the community of Mountain Ash, businessman Roger Cartwright, aged 60, was sentenced to eight years in prison after admitting to multiple serious charges related to the sexual abuse of two young girls. The court heard harrowing details of how Cartwright, who resides at River Court in Mountain Ash, subjected his victims to a series of heinous acts that have left lasting scars.

During the proceedings at Swansea Crown Court, Judge Peter Heywood emphasized the gravity of the offences, stating, “These are serious offences. You subjected your victims to a catalogue of abuse that blighted their childhoods.” The court was informed that Cartwright had pleaded guilty to charges including the assault of a child under 13, rape of a child under 13, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Additionally, he admitted to a further count of sexual assault involving his second young victim, also under the age of 13.

Prosecutor Jeremy Jenkins recounted that the initial allegations were made in 2007 by the victims, whose identities are protected by law. However, the victims’ families had previously chosen not to pursue police investigations at that time. The situation changed dramatically after Cartwright was convicted in January at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, where he received a 12-month sentence for 33 offences. These included making, distributing, and possessing indecent images of children, as well as possessing extreme pornography. Authorities uncovered a disturbing collection of 605 images and 160 videos, categorized at levels one to four, with level five being the most severe.

The court was told that the abuse took place at UK Signs, a business owned by Cartwright located on the Aberaman Industrial Estate. It was revealed that the perpetrator engaged in separate acts of abuse with each girl. One of the victims was made to strip down to her underwear before being coerced into sexual acts with Cartwright. The prosecution highlighted a particularly disturbing detail: the victim was made to apply makeup before the abuse, a fact corroborated by her police statement. Evidence of makeup found in a drawer at Cartwright’s business premises further supported her account.

Mr. Jenkins emphasized that the sexual abuse was not isolated or coincidental but part of a pattern driven by Cartwright’s own sexual gratification, which was linked to the indecent images stored on his computer. The images and videos, which depicted extreme acts, were a clear indication of his deviant fantasies being acted out with the young victims.

Defence lawyer Andrew Taylor, who hails from Church Village, explained that Cartwright was suffering from health issues, including ongoing investigations into bladder cancer following surgery. Taylor expressed that his client was in considerable discomfort and that the entire family was deeply disturbed by the allegations and convictions, which had severely damaged his reputation.

As part of his sentence, Cartwright, who is already subject to a 10-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order, will serve half of his prison term. He will also be required to register as a sex offender indefinitely and is prohibited from working with children or vulnerable young adults. The case has left a lasting impact on the Mountain Ash community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from such predatory individuals.