CRAIG FRANCIS FROM MOUNTAIN ASH SENTENCED FOR PREDATORY SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING SCHOOLGIRLS IN MERTHYR TYDFIL

In April 2014, a disturbing case unfolded at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court involving Craig Francis, a 26-year-old man from Mountain Ash, who was convicted of engaging in predatory and manipulative sexual grooming of two young girls through social media platforms, specifically Facebook. The court heard that Francis’s actions were calculated and aimed at exploiting vulnerable minors, leading to a lengthy prison sentence.

Francis’s criminal conduct involved establishing online contact with two girls, aged 12 and 14, who were residing in England at the time. The first victim, a 12-year-old girl, was contacted by Francis in 2013. Prosecutor Rachel Knight revealed that Francis initially reached out to her via Facebook, where she was pictured in her school uniform, clearly indicating her age. This detail underscored the fact that Francis was fully aware of her youth from the outset.

Following their initial contact, the two exchanged numerous phone calls and text messages—an astonishing 1,699 messages in total—most of which contained sexual content. Court proceedings detailed that Francis encouraged the girl to strip on a webcam and engaged in conversations with her over Skype, messaging her at all hours, day and night. The court described his behavior as possessive and controlling, highlighting the manipulative nature of his interactions.

Despite never physically meeting the 12-year-old girl, Francis expressed his sexual desires for her, claiming he had sexual dreams about her and expressing a desire to take her virginity and have children with her. Meanwhile, he was also in contact with a second girl, aged 14, with whom he arranged to meet at a caravan in Devon in May of that year. The two engaged in sexual activity during this meeting, and the girl later visited Francis at his residence on Glancynon Street, where their sexual relationship continued.

Her mother, initially unaware of her daughter’s whereabouts, believed she was staying with a friend nearby. The mother’s suspicions grew when she was unable to contact her daughter and subsequently searched her room. There, she discovered her daughter’s diary, which detailed her relationship with Francis, confirming her fears. The 14-year-old girl refused to disclose details of what had transpired and was uncooperative during police investigations.

Francis admitted to multiple charges, including sexual grooming, inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, and four counts of sexual activity with a child. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent images of a child and one count of possessing such images, following a search of his home.

During the court proceedings, Francis claimed that his initial contact with the girls was innocent but admitted that his behavior quickly spiraled out of control. His defense argued that he was remorseful, describing him as a man ashamed of his actions. They also pointed to personal issues, including the stillbirth of his child, which they suggested contributed to his seeking comfort in inappropriate ways, targeting young girls whom he believed would not have high expectations of him.

Judge Richard Twomlow sentenced Francis to six years in prison and imposed an extended four-year license period for public protection. In his sentencing remarks, the judge condemned Francis’s manipulative and calculated conduct, describing his offenses as serious and predatory. He emphasized that Francis had demonstrated a significant capacity for control and manipulation, making him a danger to the community and a clear threat to vulnerable minors.