CLIVE LEWIS SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN BARRY AND CARDIFF PARKS

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Barry, Clive Lewis, a 48-year-old registered sex offender, was handed a substantial prison sentence of eight years following his conviction for indecent assault and related sexual offences involving an 11-year-old boy. The incident took place in a public park in Barry during June, where Lewis engaged in a disturbing act that has left the local community deeply unsettled.

According to court proceedings held on September 9 at Cardiff Crown Court, Lewis admitted to showing the young boy obscene footage on his mobile phone and committing a sexual offence within a makeshift shelter, often referred to as a tramp’s den, located in Gladstone Park, Cardiff. The court was informed that at the time of the assault, Lewis was on the verge of completing a period of supervised release, having only a week remaining on his license following a prior conviction for a sexual offence involving another underage boy.

Lewis’s criminal history is extensive and troubling. It includes a notorious incident in November 1998, when he was involved in armed robbery in Llanelli, during which he threatened a 73-year-old woman with the butt of a gun. His Honour, Judge Patrick Curran QC, described Lewis as a significant threat to public safety, emphasizing the danger he poses, especially to children.

Prosecutor Tracey-Lloyd Nesling detailed how Lewis had befriended the young victim approximately three weeks before the assault. The boy, who suffers from various health issues, had played football with Lewis and later visited dens in two parks in Barry on June 14. It was during one of these visits that the sexual assault occurred, with the boy later identifying the offender to police while they were traveling along Holton Road.

During the hearing, the defense lawyer, Peter Davies, attempted to mitigate the circumstances by highlighting Lewis’s personal struggles. He explained that Lewis had been experiencing a difficult period in Barry, with his family disowning him, and also revealed that Lewis himself had been subjected to abuse as a child. Despite these factors, Judge Curran was unequivocal in his assessment, stating, “You are a substantial risk to the public. Particularly, young children are at risk of harm from you.”

As a result, Lewis was sentenced to serve a minimum of four years in prison before he can apply for parole, with the total sentence set at eight years. The court’s decision underscores the severity of his actions and the ongoing threat he poses.

Following the sentencing, Lewis’s family expressed their relief and condemnation of his actions. They stated that he “got what he deserved” and shared that their son continues to suffer from flashbacks related to the incident. The young boy, now 11, has become increasingly withdrawn, no longer wanting to play outside, which his family attributes to the trauma he endured.

The boy’s father, aged 37, commented on the incident, saying, “He just wanted to play like other kids,” and expressed concern about safety in public parks. He also mentioned that they were surprised to learn about Lewis’s previous offences, emphasizing, “He’s done it twice, that should have rung alarm bells.” The case has raised questions about the adequacy of supervision and security measures in public spaces, prompting calls for increased safety protocols in parks across Barry and Cardiff.