DENNIS JONES OF BARMOUTH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN IN BETHESDA

In June 2011, a 76-year-old man from Bethesda, Dennis Jones, formerly of Barmouth, was sentenced to 11 years in prison after admitting to the sexual abuse of five children aged between three and ten.

Jones had initially denied the allegations when they were first made but later pleaded guilty to charges of indecent assault. The offences took place between 1997 and 2008, as outlined by Judge Merfyn Hughes QC during his sentencing at Caernarfon Crown Court.

The judge highlighted several aggravating factors, stating, "This was repeated sexual abuse on multiple victims some of whom were very young indeed. It will not be known for some time the degree of any psychological harm they suffered."

The case was brought to light in September of the previous year when one of the children confided in her parents about the assault. Prosecutor Sion ap Mihangel told the court, "The matters date back to 1997 when the first victim said she was indecently assaulted by Jones. The abuse continued for up to five years and then resumed around 2005."

Jones was arrested in October and initially denied any wrongdoing. At that time, the trial was scheduled to begin the following month. Defense barrister John Wyn Williams acknowledged that Jones understood a jail sentence was inevitable.

As part of his sentence, the judge ordered Jones to be listed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.