IEUAN EVANS FROM BARGOED SENTENCED IN MERTHYR TYDFIL FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL

In a case that has shocked the local community, 19-year-old Ieuan Richard Evans from Bargoed was sentenced to a 21-month term in a young offenders’ institution after pleading guilty to multiple counts of sexual assault involving a young girl under the age of 13.

The incident dates back to between December 2005 and February 2006, when Evans was just 16 years old. The court proceedings at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court revealed the disturbing details of the assaults, which targeted a nine-year-old girl. The family of the victim was present during the sentencing, visibly distressed as the court heard the case.

Judge John Curran emphasized that the primary reason for the custodial sentence was not solely the victim’s desire for justice but the severity of the crimes committed. He clarified that while the victim’s impact statement was to be presented, it does not influence the court’s decision on the type of sentence, as victims cannot demand specific punishments.

Prosecutor Eugene Egan provided a detailed account of how the allegations came to light. He explained that the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, confided in her family several months after the last assault. Her distress prompted her mother to seek advice, and it was during this process that the girl disclosed the details of the abuse.

The girl’s mother described the profound impact the assaults had on her daughter’s well-being. She stated that her child had lost her independence, became increasingly nervous, and suffered from nightmares. The girl also faced verbal abuse at school from peers who learned of her ordeal, leading her to want to move away from her current environment. The mother expressed her anguish, saying, “It’s like she is under lock and key.”

In her own statement to the court, the young girl revealed that she avoided certain television programmes because they reminded her of Evans. She also experienced physical reactions, such as her heart pounding whenever she saw a red car, which was the type Evans drove. Her fear extended to walking into town, and she was visibly affected by the trauma.

The girl’s plea was for the judge to listen to her and to understand her feelings. She wanted the court to recognize her suffering and to ensure justice was served. However, she did not wish to understand the reasons behind Evans’ actions.

Defence counsel Jennett Treharne requested that the court consider a non-custodial sentence, advocating for Evans to participate in specialised programmes for sex offenders. The court ultimately ordered Evans to serve half of his sentence in custody. Additionally, he was mandated to sign the sex offenders’ register for ten years and was disqualified from working with children, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the need for ongoing supervision.