STUART JACQUES FROM CARDIGAN SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN KIDDERMINSTER

In a case that has shocked the local community, Stuart Jacques, a man originally from Kidderminster and now residing in Quay Street, Dyfed, Cardigan, Wales, was sentenced to prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against two young boys during the early 1990s. The crimes, which spanned from 1991 to 1993, involved multiple counts of indecency and assault, revealing a disturbing pattern of abuse by Jacques while he was himself a minor.

Jacques, aged 42 at the time of sentencing, pleaded guilty to five counts of indecency with a child, four counts of indecent assault, and one count of attempted sexual assault. His crimes were brought to light after his arrest in December 2015, which marked the culmination of a lengthy investigation. The court proceedings took place at Worcester Crown Court, where the severity of his actions was laid bare.

The victims, who were boys at the time, ranged in age from nine to 14 years old. The younger victim, who was between nine and ten years old, was the primary focus of nine out of the ten charges. The older boy, aged between 12 and 14, was also subjected to abuse. During the period of the offenses, Jacques was either 16 or 17 years old for most of the incidents, with the exception of the attempted sex assault, which he committed when he was 18.

Prosecutor Michael Hall described how Jacques engaged the boys in various games, including 'spin the bottle,' during which both he and the children would remove their clothes. The older boy recalled feeling that what was happening was wrong at the time, indicating an awareness of the misconduct. The younger boy was manipulated into performing sexual acts, with Jacques paying him £1, money the boy used to buy sweets and cakes. This detail underscores the disturbing nature of the exploitation.

Following Jacques's arrest, it was reported that he had become withdrawn and exhibited signs of mental health struggles. The younger victim attempted to take his own life, describing it as a 'cry for help,' and has since suffered from flashbacks, insomnia, and panic attacks. The older victim expressed that the abuse had a profound and lasting impact on his life, including recurring flashbacks and feelings of guilt, believing he had not done enough to prevent the abuse of his younger friend.

Judge Nicolas Cartwright QC handed down a substantial sentence, reflecting the gravity of the crimes. Jacques was sentenced to 40 months in prison for the attempted sexual assault, with an additional 16 months to be served concurrently for each of the five counts of indecency with a child. He received a further 27 months for the four indecent assault charges, also to be served concurrently. Additionally, Jacques will serve an extra year on licence, ensuring close supervision upon his release from prison.

This case highlights the ongoing issues surrounding child abuse and the importance of vigilance within communities to protect vulnerable children from exploitation and harm.