GRAHAM CARTER FROM BRIDGEND AND ENFIELD SENTENCED FOR ABUSE AT CARDIFF SCHOOL

In October 2003, a disturbing case of child abuse came to light involving Graham Carter, a former housemaster and care worker, who was sentenced to seven years in prison at Cardiff Crown Court after admitting to a series of heinous offenses committed against young boys under his care.

Graham Carter, aged 53 at the time, pleaded guilty to multiple charges of indecent assault involving five boys, all approximately 12 or 13 years old, during the period from 1973 to 1979. The court heard that Carter, who was employed as a care worker at Ysgol Castell Newydd in Bridgend, South Wales, engaged in inappropriate and sexual acts with the boys while serving as their housemaster.

The prosecution, led by prosecutor Matthew Roberts, detailed how Carter would check the boys' dormitories as part of his duties. However, instead of performing his responsibilities appropriately, he would kneel beside their beds and commit sexual acts. It was revealed that Carter instructed one of the boys to keep silent about what had transpired and would occasionally give him a pound, ostensibly for cigarettes, as a form of coercion or reward.

Further allegations uncovered that Carter had also indecently assaulted a boy while working at Terry's Store on High Street in Llantrisant, South Wales, prior to his employment at the boarding school. His criminal activities extended beyond the school environment, demonstrating a pattern of predatory behavior.

In March 2003, Carter was arrested by the South Wales Police's Operation Goldfinch team, which was investigating sexual abuse allegations at children's homes. During the investigation, police searched his residence in Enfield, London, and discovered a computer containing over 2,400 images of child pornography. An attempt to delete these images had been made, but it was unsuccessful, and the evidence was recovered.

Carter, who resided on Lincoln Way in Enfield at the time of his arrest, faced 19 charges of indecent assault against six boys. He also requested that five additional charges involving three other minors be considered during sentencing. Additionally, he admitted to making and possessing indecent photographs of children, further compounding his criminal record.

Defense lawyer David Elias expressed remorse on behalf of Carter, stating,