DEAN CLEOBURY FROM BYNEA AND LOUGHOR SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN LLEYN AND SWANSEA

In a case that has drawn significant attention in the South Wales region, Dean Charles Cleobury, a 23-year-old man from Rhandir, Bynea, has been convicted of a serious sexual offence committed in Loughor. The incident involved the assault of a 16-year-old girl who was asleep at a social gathering, leading to a lengthy legal process that culminated in his sentencing and subsequent appeal.

Back in May of the previous year, Cleobury was sentenced to six years in prison after a jury at Swansea Crown Court found him guilty of raping the teenage girl. The court heard that the assault took place during a party held in Loughor, where the victim had fallen asleep in a spare bedroom. According to court testimony, the girl awoke to find Cleobury engaging in sexual activity with her. The court described the moment as a horrifying awakening for the victim, who was left distressed and frightened.

Despite the conviction, Cleobury maintained his innocence and challenged the verdict by appealing to the Court of Appeal in London. His legal team argued that there were issues with the DNA evidence and the overall case against him. In June, Lord Justice Gross expressed concern over the case, particularly regarding the DNA findings, and ordered a hearing to review the appeal. However, after careful consideration, three senior judges ultimately upheld the original conviction, dismissing Cleobury’s appeal and confirming that he must serve his sentence.

Details of the case reveal that Cleobury, who was then 22 and residing on Culfor Road in Loughor, was arrested following the incident at a birthday party attended by approximately 15 teenagers. The victim, a 16-year-old girl, had been staying overnight at the house with her boyfriend. The court heard that after the couple had engaged in sexual activity in the bedroom at around 1:30 am, the boyfriend left the girl alone in bed to rejoin the party downstairs. It was during this time that Cleobury entered the room and assaulted her. The girl, in a state of distress, yelled for him to stop, prompting Cleobury to flee the scene.

During the trial, Cleobury denied the allegations, and his defense team, led by Frank Phillips, described the case as a “whodunit,” emphasizing the lack of direct evidence linking him to the assault. Nonetheless, forensic analysis played a crucial role in the conviction. A forensic scientist examined Cleobury’s boxer shorts and identified two components that matched the DNA profile of the victim. These findings were significant because they could not have originated from Cleobury himself or from a recent sexual partner.

Judge Keith Thomas, in delivering the sentence, emphasized the gravity of the offence, stating, “This is clearly a serious offence and only custody can be justified.” The judge highlighted that the victim was only 16 and was asleep during the attack, which added to the severity of the crime. The impact statement from the victim revealed that the incident remained a haunting memory, one she was unable to forget. As part of his sentence, Cleobury was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely and was disqualified from working with children in the future.

In addition to the primary conviction, Cleobury faced allegations of other sexual offences involving teenage girls. During the same trial, he denied raping a 15-year-old girl in Pembrey Country Park last summer, admitting only to kissing and fondling her. The court found him not guilty of that charge. He also faced a 2005 allegation from a woman in Loughor, who claimed he had non-consensual sex with her when they were both teenagers. After a four-day retrial, a different jury acquitted him of that charge, concluding that the sexual activity was consensual.

Overall, the case underscores the serious nature of sexual offences and the importance of forensic evidence in securing convictions. Dean Cleobury’s legal battles and subsequent sentencing serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of such crimes in the South Wales community.