VERNON CLEVERLY OF OAKDALE AND ABERBEEG BANNED FROM WORKING WITH CHILDREN AFTER SEX CRIMES

In a series of disturbing revelations, Vernon Cleverly, a man originally from Oakdale and now residing in Aberbeeg within the county borough of Blaenau Gwent, has been convicted of multiple serious sexual offenses involving young girls. The legal proceedings, which have spanned over several years, culminated in a court case at Cardiff Crown Court, where Cleverly faced charges related to abuse that occurred decades ago.

In March 2015, it was reported that Cleverly, aged 58 at the time, had been released from prison after serving part of his sentence. His criminal history includes a previous conviction for similar offenses, which resulted in a six-month imprisonment for indecent assault on a girl under 16, dating back to December 13, 1995.

The latest case involved Cleverly being found guilty of five counts of indecent assault on two young girls, some of which dated back to the 1980s. The court heard harrowing details from the victims, who had never met before the trial. One victim recounted that Cleverly, who was her uncle, had invited her to look at toys and then lay on top of her, touching her inappropriately and instructing her to keep the incident a secret. The second victim described how Cleverly kissed her and made her touch him, actions that she only reported to police after seeing him at a social gathering.

During the trial, Cleverly’s defense, led by Ieuan Rees, argued that he had not committed any offenses in the last twenty years. Despite this, the court found him guilty of the charges. The judge, Phillip Richards, sentenced Cleverly to a total of 12 months for the first two counts and an additional three years for the remaining three counts, to be served consecutively. As part of his punishment, Cleverly was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was permanently barred from working with children under 18.

Judge Richards expressed profound condemnation of Cleverly’s actions, emphasizing the lasting impact on the victims. He stated, “The horrible acts committed by Cleverly have had a lasting effect on these women,” and added that Cleverly’s claims of innocence only deepened their despair. The judge concluded by stating, “What you did to these two children was unforgivable,” and remarked on the devastating effect such behavior can have on a child's life.

In April 2013, prior to his latest conviction, Cleverly was also convicted of similar offenses. During that trial, he was remanded in custody, with the court describing his crimes as “very unpleasant.” The victims’ family members, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed relief and relief upon hearing the verdicts, with one stating, “After years of upset we are so pleased we have finally got justice.”

Looking ahead, Cleverly is scheduled to be sentenced for his recent crimes on March 21. His case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable individuals from predatory behavior.