WAYNE EVANS OF LLANEDYRN SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS FOR CHILD ABUSE IN CARDIFF

In a landmark case that has sent shockwaves through South Wales, Wayne Evans, a 35-year-old resident of Roundwood, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 18 years for a series of heinous crimes committed against children. The sentencing, one of the most severe ever handed down in the region for sexual offenses involving minors, underscores the gravity of Evans' actions and the judicial system's commitment to protecting vulnerable members of society.

Throughout the court proceedings, Evans displayed no visible emotion as Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones addressed him directly. The judge emphasized the importance of safeguarding the public from individuals like Evans, stating, “I have to protect the public from your disgusting behaviour.” The court heard that Evans had pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including indecent assault on five children, two counts of rape, and an attempted rape of a third minor.

The victims ranged in age, with the two girls who were raped being just 14 years old at the time. One of these victims recounted her harrowing experience, revealing that she had screamed during the assault, desperately hoping someone nearby would hear her cries for help. The other victim, now an adult, provided a statement expressing the lasting impact of the abuse, saying, “I don’t trust men. It’s scarred my life.”

Prosecutor Ieuan Morris detailed the severity of Evans’ crimes, highlighting that the youngest child he indecently assaulted was only 10 years old. The young girl later confided that she felt ashamed of what had happened to her, a testament to the profound psychological damage inflicted.

This case marked Evans’ third appearance in court for sex-related offenses involving children. His criminal history dates back to 1990, when he received a six-month sentence for indecency with a four-year-old and indecent assault on a nine-year-old girl. Nearly a decade later, Evans appeared before magistrates in Cardiff after he was caught exposing himself to three 14-year-old girls while sitting in his car in the St Mellons area. According to the prosecutor, “When he pulled up, the girls could see he wasn’t wearing any trousers. He exposed himself to them and then drove off.”

The court was also informed that some of the children involved in the recent case had been drugged with cannabis prior to the assaults, which further compounded the trauma they experienced. The prosecutor noted that the children were too frightened to report the incidents immediately, which delayed justice and added to their suffering.

Defence counsel Jennet Treharne acknowledged Evans’ cooperation during the trial, stating, “The strongest mitigation is that he did not deny it and forced the children to give evidence. He realises what damage he has done and wants to get help for his affliction of paedophilia.” It was also revealed that Evans had previously undergone treatment at a clinic, but this was discontinued after he moved house. Additionally, a sex offenders’ programme that Evans was enrolled in following his exposure incident was not completed, limiting its potential effectiveness.

Judge Llewellyn-Jones condemned Evans’ actions, remarking, “These children felt pain and anger. They also felt almost disgusted with themselves. You have rightly been described as a paedophile. There is no doubt you are a danger.” The judge ordered that Evans be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life, emphasizing the ongoing threat he poses to society and the importance of monitoring his activities to prevent further harm.