DANIEL MESSHAM PENCED IN PENCOED: SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE AND ABDUCTION CASE AT CARDIFF CROWN COURT

A disturbing case involving Daniel Messham, a 21-year-old resident of Pencoed, has come to light following his recent appearance at Cardiff Crown Court. The proceedings revealed a series of heinous acts, including the abduction of a minor girl, sexual offenses, and the possession of illegal substances, all linked to a troubling pattern of grooming and exploitation.

According to court reports, Messham had engaged in online communication with a teenage girl, whom he later picked up from her home in his vehicle. Despite the girl explicitly informing him of her underage status, Messham believed they were involved in a romantic relationship. This misconception led him to drive away with her in his car, an act that was witnessed by her mother, who immediately called the police in a desperate attempt to intervene.

The incident escalated when Messham, after having sexual contact with the girl at his residence, drove off with her in tow. The victim’s mother, witnessing the abduction, pursued the vehicle and provided police with its location. Law enforcement officers intercepted Messham’s car approximately twenty minutes later. During the stop, they found the girl sitting in the passenger seat. Messham initially lied to officers, claiming he thought the girl was 17 years old, but this assertion was later contradicted by evidence and his own writings.

Subsequent searches of Messham’s home in Bridgend uncovered 41.2 grams of cannabis and a mobile phone. An examination of the device revealed a series of journal entries and messages that painted a disturbing picture of Messham’s mindset and intentions. In one diary entry, he wrote about his feelings of guilt and delusion, questioning whether he was truly in a relationship or merely grooming the girl. He expressed remorse for his actions, stating, “I will help her become a woman,” and reflected on his own behavior, calling himself a “monster for grooming” and acknowledging the illegal nature of his online activities.

Further entries indicated a troubling obsession with younger girls and a recognition of his delusional state. He questioned his own motives, writing about the difficulty of convincing himself to date minors who were struggling with mental health issues. His Snapchat account contained messages with the victim, including romantic exchanges and a photograph of the two together. One message read: “I hate that I’ve groomed people… that I’ve seen literally illegal porn… I refuse to download Instagram again… I still find myself every week or so doing something I really regret… just sexualising people that are way too young and acting on it… I was so afraid I was slipping up when I met you that I was just repeating the behaviour I did online now I see it’s more than that.”

Investigators also uncovered searches related to child abduction laws, including the Child Abduction Act 1984, made just before his arrest. During police interviews, Messham chose to answer “no comment” to all questions, refusing to cooperate fully. He was charged and pleaded guilty to multiple offenses, including two counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child, meeting a child following sexual grooming, abducting a minor, and possession of cannabis. The court noted that he had no prior criminal record and was considered to be of good character before these events.

Judge Paul Hobson addressed the court, emphasizing the trauma inflicted on the victim and her mother. He described the incident as “traumatic,” highlighting the fear and helplessness experienced by the mother during the abduction. The judge acknowledged Messham’s apparent remorse and social isolation but emphasized that he was aware of right and wrong, stating, “You are plainly intelligent and plainly you know right from wrong.”

It was also revealed that Messham had been diagnosed with complex PTSD, stemming from an adverse childhood. Despite this, the court sentenced him to a total of three years and four months in prison. Additionally, he was subjected to a 10-year restraining order, sex offender notification requirements, and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, ensuring strict supervision and restrictions to prevent further offenses.