GARETH MATHIAS'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN LLANELLI AND NEATH: SEX OFFENDER'S REIGN OF TERROR

In September 2016, Gareth Mathias, a man with a troubling history linked to Llanelli and Neath, faced a court hearing that extended his previously imposed sexual harm restrictions. The Swansea Crown Court decided to prolong his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (Sopo) by an additional three years, citing ongoing concerns about his potential risk to the public, particularly children.

Mathias, a veteran of the Iraq War, was initially subjected to a five-year Sopo in 2011 after being convicted twice for creating indecent images of children. Despite his claims of rehabilitation, including a 12-month program aimed at addressing his offending behavior, authorities remain wary of his continued threat. The court was informed that Mathias maintains that he has changed and that he now recognizes the gravity of his past actions.

On July 23 of this year, police officers from Dyfed-Powys Police visited Mathias’s residence on Fron Terrace in Llanelli. Detective Inspector Paul Jones recounted that during the search, officers requested access to the devices Mathias used to browse the internet. He initially denied possessing additional devices but eventually admitted to having another laptop. When officers informed him that a search would be conducted, Mathias handed over the device. The arrest was emotionally charged; he collapsed to the floor crying and then began pacing and muttering, indicating a state of distress.

Inspector Jones highlighted that Mathias had shown a pattern of minimal cooperation with police over the past five years, which contributed to the decision to seek an extension of his Sopo. During the court proceedings, Mathias pleaded guilty to breaching the order by failing to surrender the devices, describing his actions as a “momentous cock-up.” He explained that his intention was to expedite the search process, which could sometimes take an entire day, so he could visit his mother before departing for Ukraine, where he was involved in a growing first aid business and planning to participate in the conflict zone.

One of the laptops contained a secretly recorded video showing a young man on the toilet. Mathias claimed that the individual was over 18, had given full consent, and that the video was intended for their mutual sexual gratification. The court was told that charges of voyeurism related to this footage might be dropped because it was believed to have been filmed in Ukraine.

Inspector Jones emphasized the ongoing risk Mathias posed, advocating for the extension of his Sopo. The police officer stated, “It’s my view that the risk of sexual harm to the public is still present.” In response, Mathias’s defense lawyer, James Hartson, argued that his client had legitimate business interests in Ukraine and accused police of excessive zeal that hindered his client’s ability to move forward with his life.

Mathias addressed the court, expressing that the 12-month sexual offenders’ program had been enlightening, teaching him about himself and his past behaviors. Despite this, the judge, Recorder Gregory Bull QC, decided to extend the Sopo by three years. The court also ordered Mathias to pay fines totaling £3,940, covering costs and prosecution fees. The judge noted the seriousness of the case, referencing Mathias’s previous convictions and his apparent reluctance to fully engage with police over the past five years.

He emphasized that police officers face difficult duties and that the law prioritizes the protection of children and young people over the comfort of offenders. The court’s decision reflected a cautious approach, balancing rehabilitation with public safety concerns.

Historically, Mathias’s criminal record includes a series of disturbing incidents. In August 2011, he was caught with indecent images of children after changing his name from Gareth John Mathias to Gary James Taylor without informing authorities. This breach of notification requirements followed his earlier conviction in 2009, when he was sentenced to a suspended prison term for making indecent images of children. His attempts to conceal his identity and past led to further legal complications, including a conviction for possessing indecent images and fraud related to employment applications.

Mathias’s criminal activities also include a series of breaches, such as failing to declare his previous convictions when applying for jobs and attempting to hide his identity by changing his name. Police uncovered 59 indecent images on his devices, with varying levels of severity, during a search at his Llanelli home. He admitted to the charges, claiming victimization and difficulty securing employment due to his past. His defense argued that he had been acquitted in a retrial after a previous trial resulted in a hung jury, and that his efforts to change his name were attempts to rebuild his life.

Ultimately, the court sentenced Mathias to a three-year community order, requiring him to participate in a sex offenders’ program, register as a sex offender for five years, and adhere to a five-year sex offender prevention order. The case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing individuals with a history of sexual offenses, especially those with complex histories involving multiple breaches and attempts to conceal their past.