DANIEL THYER GROOMING AND PUBLIC INDECENCY IN MORRISTON PARK

A disturbing incident unfolded in Morriston, Swansea, when a man in his 40s was observed engaging in highly inappropriate and illegal behaviour near a children's play area in a well-frequented park. The incident was reported to the authorities after a vigilant woman walking through the park on February 26 noticed a man sitting on a grassy bank close to the play zone, with his trousers pulled down around his ankles. She observed him holding his mobile phone in one hand while engaging in self-pleasure with the other, an act that she found deeply disturbing and unacceptable.

Although there were no children present in the immediate vicinity at the time, the woman also saw two teenage boys cycling nearby, which heightened her concern. Her reaction was one of disgust, prompting her to contact the police immediately. Law enforcement officers responded swiftly to the scene and apprehended the individual, who identified himself as Daniel Thyer, a resident of Brangwyn Close, Morriston. During questioning, Thyer claimed he was at the park to meet someone and attempted to justify his behaviour by stating he was 'adjusting his trousers.'

Further investigation revealed that Thyer had been in communication with a young boy via his mobile device. Police examined his phone and discovered messages indicating that Thyer had been discussing masturbation with the child. The officers then located and interviewed the young boy, who disclosed a series of troubling incidents involving Thyer. The child reported that Thyer had put his hands down his trousers, pushed his erect penis into him over his clothes, and had touched his bottom. Additionally, the boy revealed that Thyer had given him vapes, money, and energy drinks, which appeared to be part of a grooming pattern aimed at manipulating and enticing the young victim.

In a victim impact statement read aloud in court, the young boy expressed feelings of fear and discomfort, revealing that Thyer's actions had caused him to suffer from sleepless nights and to feel uneasy around adult men. The statement underscored the profound emotional and psychological impact of Thyer's predatory behaviour.

Daniel James Thyer, also known as Daniel David, was charged with multiple offences, including exposure, four counts of sexual activity with a child, and one count of sexual activity with a child. He appeared before Swansea Crown Court for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty to these charges. Thyer has no prior criminal record, but his actions have now led to significant legal consequences.

Thyer's defence, represented by Charlotte Surley, highlighted his learning difficulties and referenced a pre-sentence report suggesting he might have an 'emotional congruence' with children, which could have influenced his behaviour. Despite these mitigating factors, the judge, Huw Rees, emphasized the seriousness of the offences, noting the clear evidence of grooming and predatory conduct. The judge described Thyer's actions as indicative of 'predatory sexual behaviour,' underscoring the danger posed by such conduct.

Taking into account Thyer's guilty pleas, the court imposed a sentence of 12 months in prison, with a one-third reduction. Additionally, Thyer was subjected to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and was registered as a sex offender for the same duration, reflecting the court's commitment to protecting the community from future harm.