GARON OWEN CAUGHT IN PENTYRCH: SHOCKING CHILD GROOMING AT CARDIFF SUPERMARKET

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community, Garon Owen, a 45-year-old man from Pentyrch, was caught engaging in inappropriate and illegal communications with a minor. The incident unfolded after a group of dedicated paedophile hunters identified Owen at his workplace and confronted him about his online behavior, which involved targeting a supposed 14-year-old girl.

Owen had initiated contact with what he believed was a teenage girl named Emily through a dating website. Over the course of a week, he engaged in sexually explicit conversations, despite being explicitly told that the girl was underage. His messages included graphic images and obscene requests, with Owen asking her to send naked photos and even discussing the possibility of taking her virginity. He also suggested that she should not tell her parents about their exchanges, further highlighting the predatory nature of his actions.

The defendant went as far as arranging a meeting, inviting the girl to skip school and meet him at a McDonald's in Cardiff, followed by plans to go to the cinema. During the police hearing, prosecutor Rachel Knight detailed that Owen first contacted “Emily” on the Meet4u dating app on January 28. Their conversations continued into the following week, culminating in the planned meeting on February 7 in Cardiff.

However, Owen’s plans were thwarted when the group known as First Line Defence South Wales, who had set up the decoy account, confronted him at Asda in Coryton, where he was employed as a trolley collector. The confrontation took place on February 5 and was captured live on Facebook by the group, although the video has since been removed. Owen was detained at the scene, and police arrived shortly after to arrest him. They recovered copies of his conversations with “Emily” as evidence.

During police interviews, Owen claimed that he viewed himself as a mentor figure, stating he wanted the girl to “progress in life.” He admitted to sending the explicit photo of his penis to gauge her reaction. Owen also confessed that he realized he had crossed a line when he told her not to tell her parents about their interactions. In his explanation, he cited past bullying and personal issues, including erectile dysfunction, as reasons for his behavior. He expressed remorse for his actions and apologized to the officers.

At Cardiff Crown Court, Owen pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempting sexual communication with a child, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, and attempting to arrange to meet a child following grooming. Judge Timothy Petts addressed Owen directly, emphasizing the importance of understanding the gravity of his misconduct. The court sentenced him to a 24-month community order, which includes a requirement for 35 days of rehabilitation. Additionally, Owen will be subject to an electronic curfew, a five-year sexual harm prevention order, and must register as a sex offender for the same period. This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and community groups to combat online grooming and protect vulnerable minors from exploitation.