PAEDOPHILE ATTEMPTED TO SEXUALLY ASSAULT TEENAGER WHILE RIDING BIKE
A notorious paedophile attempted to sexually assault a 13-year-old girl as he cycled past her on a public path in Cardiff.The girl expressed that the incident left her feeling both upset and self-conscious.
During the court hearing, it was revealed that Carl Badham, aged 57 and residing on Colum Road, was convicted of attempted sexual assault after a trial.
The incident occurred when he grabbed her wrist while she was walking on the Taff Trail in Bute Park with another teenage girl last year.
The court also noted Badham's criminal history, which includes 29 previous convictions such as indecent assault of a minor under 16, attempted rape, sexual assault, and an earlier sexual assault while he was riding a bicycle.
In a victim personal statement, read aloud by prosecutor Bethan Evans, the young girl shared her emotional impact: "Since the incident involving the defendant, I have been upset and self conscious.
For a few months I didn't even go out as I would normally.
I've always been confident but since this incident I don't feel confident when I'm out anymore.
My mum has reassured me and has a tracker which sends emergency alerts.
I've got a safety key chain including a whistle I can use for an emergency.
I won't go out alone, I have to be with friends or family members.
Having to go to court was horrible and I'm still really upset by it all but I'm happy knowing what I'm doing it for.
I want to try and forget it all now." Defence barrister said he wasn't able to offer much mitigation on behalf of his client, who continues to deny the offence and maintains it is a case of "mistaken identity".
Judge Shomon Khan sentenced Badham to two years imprisonment, with an extended licence period of four years.
He will serve two thirds of the sentence in custody before he can be considered for parole.
