TYLER HIGGINS SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL RAPE IN CARDIFF'S BUTE PARK
In October 2021, a disturbing case unfolded in Cardiff involving Tyler Higgins, a young man from Brithdir Street, Cathays, who was convicted of a heinous sexual assault that took place in Bute Park, located in the heart of Cardiff city centre.The incident began during the early hours of a summer morning when a young woman, who had been out with friends, found herself lost and alone after leaving a social gathering.
Her friends had already gone home, leaving her to navigate her way back to her hotel in the city centre.
While trying to find her way, she approached Higgins, whom she believed was simply out for a walk.
She asked him for directions, and according to the prosecution, Matthew Roberts, Higgins initially claimed he was out for a stroll and was willing to help her.
However, Higgins then misleadingly directed her in the opposite direction, towards Whitchurch Road, before leading her down Cathays Terrace and into Bute Park, near the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Higgins suggested taking a shortcut through the park, which ultimately led to the attack.
Once inside Bute Park, the situation turned violent.
Higgins grabbed the woman around the neck, slamming her to the ground in a brutal assault.
She described feeling as if he had strangled her for what seemed like an eternity, despite her efforts to pull his hair and resist.
She believed she was on the verge of death during this terrifying ordeal.
Following the initial assault, Higgins proceeded to sexually assault her twice within the park.
The victim recounted that Higgins appeared almost amused by his actions, making giggling sounds as he assaulted her.
Despite the violence, Higgins surprisingly apologized afterward, claiming he could be forceful and that he 'gets like that.' The attack was described as violent and calculated, with Higgins taking advantage of the darkness and the secluded woodland area to carry out his assault.
After the attack, the victim was able to make her way towards the main road, near the Angel Hotel and Pettigrew Tea Rooms on Castle Street.
The trauma inflicted on her was profound, and she later expressed her fears and feelings of betrayal in a personal statement, stating, 'I am now afraid to be alone with another male.
I feel I won’t be able to trust a man again.
I thought I was going to die.' Higgins was arrested following a police investigation that involved the release of CCTV images.
The victim was able to identify him during an identity parade.
When police arrived to arrest Higgins, they found him washing the jacket he had worn that night, and he admitted to throwing his trainers in the bin.
Higgins, aged 19 at the time of the offences, pleaded guilty to the charge of rape.
During the court proceedings, his legal representative, Hashim Salmman, acknowledged that no mitigation could comfort the victim and highlighted that Higgins had no previous convictions and was young.
Salmman expressed remorse, stating that Higgins wished he could undo his actions.
However, Judge David Wynn Morgan was unequivocal in his condemnation, describing Higgins’ actions as cold-blooded and driven solely by sexual gratification.
The judge emphasized the significant planning and cunning involved, noting how Higgins disoriented and manipulated the victim in the dark woodland setting.
Judge Morgan sentenced Higgins to 15 years in prison, underscoring the grave consequences of his actions.
He warned that Higgins presents a serious risk of harm to adult females, and his conduct has left a lasting impact on the victim, who now struggles with trust and safety issues following the traumatic event.
