GARETH ROACH OF PONTLOTTYN AND YSTRAD MYNACH JAILED FOR BESTIALITY AND CHILD SEX OFFENCES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Pontlottyn and Ystrad Mynach, Gareth Roach, aged 36, was found to possess highly illegal and disturbing material involving both bestiality and child exploitation. The police, during a routine inspection at his residence, uncovered a collection of extreme pornographic videos featuring animals, specifically dogs, which has led to serious legal repercussions for Roach.

Roach, who resides on Fochriw Road in Pontlottyn, Caerphilly, was already under strict supervision due to previous convictions related to the possession of indecent images of children. His prior offences included downloading and viewing such images, which resulted in a three-year community order handed down in April 2018. As part of that sentence, Roach was required to attend the Horizon sex offender treatment programme, and he was also ordered to register as a sex offender for five years, along with a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration.

The recent police visit in January was an unannounced check to ensure Roach’s compliance with these strict conditions. During this inspection, officers discovered 36 videos depicting bestiality on his mobile device. Prosecutor Claire Pickthall described the content as of significant duration, indicating the videos were lengthy and detailed. When questioned by police, Roach admitted to knowing that these videos were illegal, stating, “I know these videos are illegal. It was just something to look at.”

Following this discovery, Roach, of Lisburn Court in Ystrad Mynach, pleaded guilty to possessing extreme pornographic images. The court was informed that the videos involved animals and were of a highly disturbing nature, further compounding the seriousness of his offences.

Judge Michael Fitton QC sentenced Roach to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months. In addition to the custodial sentence, Roach was ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid community work and a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He was also mandated to register as a sex offender for the next ten years and pay a victim surcharge of £156. The court emphasized the importance of monitoring Roach’s compliance with these orders, given his previous history and the severity of the new offences.

In a separate but related case from April 2018, Roach was convicted of possessing indecent images of children, including categories A, B, and C, which encompass the most serious forms of child abuse material. The court heard that police had found over 1,000 such images on his mobile phone during a raid at his home. These images ranged from babies to girls aged up to 14 years old. Prosecutor Sarah Waters described the material as “horrible,” and the judge, Recorder Simon Mills, expressed his horror at the content, noting that it “staggers the mind” to consider the officers who had to examine and categorize such evidence.

Roach, who had no prior convictions before these offences, admitted to three counts of making indecent images between August 6, 2017, and April 3, 2018. He was remanded in custody at Parc Prison in Bridgend after magistrates found him guilty and sentenced him to a community order. During the hearing, Roach explained that some of the images had “horrified” him and that he had deleted them, expressing a desire to seek help and counseling for his issues.

He also revealed personal struggles, including the recent death of his mother-in-law, which he described as devastating. Roach’s wife is currently in the process of divorcing him. The judge emphasized the gravity of his actions, stating that such images are often downloaded not just for personal gratification but also for the enjoyment of others who view them online. Despite the severity of his crimes, Judge Mills acknowledged that Roach might still have the potential for rehabilitation.

As part of his sentence, Roach was placed on the sex offenders register for five years and subjected to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period. He was also ordered to pay an £85 victim surcharge. The court’s decision reflects the serious concern surrounding his offences and the ongoing risk posed by individuals involved in such disturbing activities.