WILLIAM ABSALOM GUILTY OF SEXUAL ACTIVITY WITH 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN BRIDGEND
In a case that has shocked the community of Bridgend, William Absalom, aged 39, was found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl who has learning difficulties.The incident took place in the town of Bridgend, and the court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the nature of their interactions.
Absalom, who admitted to feeling flattered by the attention from the young girl, insisted that he believed she was 17 years old at the time.
He maintained that there was no physical contact between them, despite the charges brought against him.
During the trial at Cardiff Crown Court, he faced multiple allegations, and the jury reached a unanimous verdict on three counts, while a fourth charge was also found guilty by a majority.
One additional charge was dismissed after the jury failed to reach a verdict, leading to the discharge of the jury.
The court heard that the girl claimed Absalom had taken her to a bedroom in his home, which he previously shared with his wife before their separation.
She recounted that he paid for her taxi to his residence located in Clos Mynydd, Bettws, Bridgend.
Allegations from two other children, one of whom was a friend who traveled with her in the same taxi, suggested they had either heard or seen something sexual during the visit.
Absalom, a father of four, vehemently denied these accusations, asserting that they were entirely false.
During his testimony, Absalom explained that he knew the girl through mutual friends and that she had obtained his phone number, subsequently bombarding him with calls and text messages.
He admitted that he initially rejected her attempts to contact him but acknowledged that, after consuming alcohol on one occasion, he started engaging in conversations with her.
He described the situation as flattering, given her young age, and claimed that their interactions were limited to talking about her problems.
He emphasized that there was no sexual contact and that the girl repeatedly expressed her love for him through messages, which he dismissed as harmless.
He recounted that the first time she visited his home, she was accompanied by her friend, and he paid for their taxi because they had no money.
During that visit, they stayed in his living room but did not go upstairs.
A week later, the girl called him late at night, crying, after he had been out drinking.
She said she was coming over again, and although he was reluctant, he agreed to meet her because she was upset.
He explained that they went upstairs to talk privately, closing the bedroom door because other people were downstairs.
He insisted that she was fully dressed during these encounters, and he was dressed as well.
The girl stayed for approximately three-quarters of an hour before her taxi arrived to take her home.
The court also considered a statement from the head of the school attended by the girl, which indicated that her educational ability was comparable to that of a six-year-old, highlighting her learning difficulties.
Judge Phillip Richards ordered that Absalom be remanded in custody until his sentencing later in the month, emphasizing the seriousness of the case and the need for justice to be served in this troubling matter.
