TONY GREENWOOD FROM LLANGOLLEN AND RHYL SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE AND POSSESSION OF INDECENT IMAGES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Llangollen and Rhyl, Tony Greenwood, aged 53 and now residing on Bridge Street, has been sentenced to a five-year prison term following his conviction for multiple serious offenses involving the sexual abuse of young girls and the possession of a vast collection of indecent images of children.

Greenwood's criminal activities came to light after two separate reports from concerned mothers in Rhyl, who revealed that their daughters, both approximately six years old at the time, had been subjected to sexual abuse by Greenwood. The allegations, which surfaced in September 2022, prompted a police investigation that uncovered a pattern of disturbing behavior.

During police interviews, one of the young girls recounted that Greenwood had touched her inappropriately, both over and under her clothing. She described Greenwood as someone who would offer her sweets when she passed his house and would stand at his door, watching her play in a nearby park. The girl also observed that Greenwood had swords displayed on the wall of his bedroom and noticed a box that she believed to be a camera, which flashed intermittently. She admitted that some of Greenwood’s abuse caused her physical pain, but she would often pretend not to understand what was happening.

Another girl, also a victim, described Greenwood as a man who “held me weirdly,” and mentioned that he kept “sharp knives” in his home. She recounted that Greenwood touched her both over and under her clothing on two or three occasions, with some incidents lasting up to an hour. She also revealed that Greenwood expressed affection towards her, saying he liked her, though she did not understand the meaning of his words. The presence of swords on his bedroom wall further frightened her.

Following his arrest, Greenwood denied the allegations made by the young girls. However, authorities found that he possessed over 700 indecent images of children, ranging from Category A to C, including 168 extreme pornographic images, 49 prohibited images, and 13 videos. His electronic devices also contained further indecent images of children aged between six months and 14 years engaged in sexual activities. Investigators discovered that Greenwood had conducted internet searches and downloaded files that indicated a clear interest in child sex abuse.

The police also recovered images of the two girls Greenwood had abused, although these images were not classified as indecent. The investigation revealed that Greenwood’s devices contained material that suggested a disturbing preoccupation with child exploitation.

During the court proceedings, a victim impact statement from one of the girls’ mothers expressed the profound emotional toll of the abuse. She described feeling as if she had been “kicked in the stomach” when her daughter confided in her. The mother noted that her daughter had begun wetting the bed again and experiencing nightmares. She expressed feelings of guilt and frustration, questioning why she hadn’t recognized the signs earlier, and lamented the loss of their safe space, stating, “He has taken away what was our safe haven. It makes me feel so angry and sad that it’ll never be the same.”

Similarly, a statement from the mother of the other girl detailed her daughter’s emotional and physical decline since the incident. Her child was described as having “fully changed,” with symptoms including bedwetting, migraines, nausea, and difficulty sitting still. The mother expressed her fears for her child’s mental health and voiced concern over the lack of sufficient support for victims of child sexual abuse.

Judge Parry, presiding over the case at Mold Crown Court, sentenced Greenwood to five years in prison. Additionally, Greenwood was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which prohibits him from being left alone with any child under the age of 16 and restricts his use of social media. The court also ordered the seizure and destruction of all electronic devices belonging to Greenwood.

The judge emphasized Greenwood’s distorted view of children, highlighting the severity of his offenses and the lasting impact on his victims. The court’s decision reflects the gravity of the crimes committed and the ongoing concern for the safety and well-being of children in the community.