ABERGELE PENSIONER GWYNFOR JONES SENTENCED TO 50 YEARS FOR DECADES OF SEXUAL ABUSE

In a case that shocked the local community of Abergele, pensioner Gwynfor Rhys Jones was sentenced to a total of 50 years in prison after being convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses spanning over five decades. Despite maintaining his innocence, Jones, aged 77 and residing at Cae Derwen, Llanfair TH near Abergele, was found guilty of multiple charges following a detailed trial at Caernarfon Crown Court last month.

Judge Rhys Rowlands, presiding over the case, sentenced Jones to 12 years for his crimes, emphasizing that it was highly unusual for a man to offend repeatedly over such an extended period. The judge highlighted that Jones’s offending history included 12 separate charges, which encompassed indecent assault, attempted indecent assault, sexual activity with a child, and sexual assault. The court heard that these offenses took place over a span of approximately 50 years, from 1960 until August 2010.

During the sentencing at Mold Crown Court, Judge Rowlands detailed the disturbing nature of Jones’s actions, revealing that his victims included seven individuals of varying ages. Among them was a woman in her 40s, a teenage girl, and several very young children. The judge described Jones’s behavior as “deviant and wholly reprehensible,” noting that his repeated offenses demonstrated a pattern of predatory conduct that persisted over many years.

“Yet you sit there with no comprehension at all of the harm you have caused them,” Judge Rowlands told Jones, underscoring the gravity of his actions. Although Jones had no prior convictions, the judge pointed out that the length of his offending history significantly aggravated his culpability. The court also acknowledged that Jones appeared to be an otherwise responsible member of his small community, but warned that outward appearances can be deceptive.

Addressing Jones’s age and health, the judge remarked that given his ill-health and advanced years, it was unlikely he would pose a further threat or offend again. “For a man of 77 in ill-health, the sentence I am about to impose means it is unlikely in the extreme that you will ever be in a position to offend in a similar way again,” he stated. Despite this, the court noted that Jones had shown no remorse for his actions.

Jones’s offending began in his early 20s and continued intermittently until his early 70s, with his last known offense committed against an adult woman. The judge described his repeated depravity as “very, very unusual indeed,” emphasizing the severity and duration of his misconduct.

During the trial, Jonathon Austin, representing Jones, stated that his client did not accept the jury’s verdicts. It was also revealed that Jones suffers from health issues, including a heart condition, and that he was supported by his wife during the proceedings, who was present in court to offer moral support.

Overall, the case has left a lasting impact on the Abergele community, highlighting the disturbing reality that even those who appear respectable can harbor dark secrets for decades.