GLYNDWR THOMAS FROM GARNANT ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT ON SCHOOLGIRL IN AMMAN VALLEY

In a case that has shocked the local community of the Amman Valley, Glyndwr Thomas, a well-known figure in Garnant, was convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl at a tanning salon in Ammanford. Despite the gravity of the offense, Thomas, aged 39 and recognized as the captain of the local rugby team, was spared immediate imprisonment, with the court opting for a community-based sentence instead.

The incident took place on June 7 of the previous year at Easy Tan, located on College Street in Ammanford. According to court proceedings, Thomas followed the young girl into a private cubicle while she was undressed. As she attempted to press a button, he reached out and inappropriately touched her private parts. The court heard that while there was no evidence of premeditation beyond a brief moment, Thomas's failure to control his actions was evident, and he showed no remorse for his conduct.

Judge Patrick Thomas, presiding over the case at Swansea Crown Court, addressed the court and the defendant directly. He emphasized that the most significant consequence for Thomas would be the shame and damage to his reputation within the community. The judge stated, "You have been convicted by a jury — rightly in my view — of a sexual assault on a 15-year-old girl. You are of some standing in the valley. You are captain of the village team and a hard-working man. But you will be known in your community as a convicted sex offender with an underage girl, and this is something which will stain your reputation forever."

Thomas, a long-distance lorry driver from Parc Glanffrwd in Garnant, has consistently denied the charges. However, the jury found him guilty earlier in the month. The court also noted that Thomas's denial of the assault forced the victim to relive her traumatic experience in court, adding to her distress.

In sentencing, Judge Patrick Thomas imposed a three-year community order, which includes participation in a sex offenders' course. Thomas will be required to register as a sex offender for five years and is prohibited from having unsupervised contact with anyone under 16 without the consent and knowledge of the child's parents. The judge explained that imprisonment would have been ineffective, as Thomas would likely have been released within weeks, leaving his issues unaddressed. Instead, the court deemed the community order the most appropriate course of action, aligning with the recommendations outlined in the pre-sentence report and considering the best interests of both society and the offender.