IEUAN JONES SHAMES ADLINGTON AND WREXHAM AFC IN SHOCK SEXUAL ABUSE CASES

In a series of disturbing revelations spanning over three decades, Ieuan Jones, a former chef associated with Wrexham AFC and residing in Adlington, has been found guilty of multiple counts of sexual assault involving teenage boys. The latest conviction, delivered at Caernarfon Crown Court in February 2019, marks a long and troubling history of allegations that have finally culminated in justice.

Jones, aged 67 at the time of sentencing, was accused of grooming and sexually assaulting a teenage boy more than 35 years ago. The charges stemmed from incidents alleged to have occurred in the early 1980s, during which Jones was accused of exploiting his position and trust to carry out indecent acts. The jury, after a three-day trial, convicted him of one charge of indecent assault but acquitted him of the other. During the proceedings, Jones vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing the victim’s account as “ridiculous” and claiming it was fabricated to seek financial compensation.

Judge Timothy Petts, presiding over the case, expressed his condemnation of Jones’s actions. He stated, “You befriended a teenage boy despite the gap in your ages. On one occasion, on the finding by the jury, while asleep, you took advantage of him.” The judge emphasized the gravity of the offense, asserting that only an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate. Consequently, Jones was sentenced to 15 months in prison, with the sentence to run consecutively to his existing sentences for other indecent assault charges.

During the sentencing hearing, Jones’s defense lawyer, Jonathan Duffy, acknowledged that a prison term was inevitable but urged the court to consider his client’s age and the principle of totality in sentencing. The victim, now in his early 50s, came forward after reading newspaper reports of Jones’s trial at Mold Crown Court in June. He revealed that he had previously reported the matter to police following the media coverage.

The victim recounted that he had met Jones when his family moved to the Adlington area during his teenage years. Jones, who was then working as a chef on oil or gas rigs and later at Wrexham AFC, had taken on a mentorship role, teaching him how to cook and socializing with him during nights out in local pubs and in Wrexham. The jury heard that Jones often paid for drinks and meals and had even given the young man cannabis to smoke. The victim described Jones as “pleasant, well presented and a nice guy,” which contributed to his trust in him.

He detailed an incident where, during a night out, he woke up to find Jones fondling him. He told Jones to stop, leading to an argument before they both went back to sleep. When cross-examined, the victim confirmed that he had not fabricated the allegations but had only confided in a female friend about the incidents approximately 25 years ago. It was only after reading the newspaper reports that he decided to come forward and report the abuse to the police.

The court also heard about Jones’s prior convictions. In a previous trial, he was found guilty of sexually assaulting two young boys in the 1990s and 2000s at his home in Rhosllannerchrugog. He was sentenced to four and a half years in prison and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Further back, in June 2018, Jones was convicted of similar offenses involving two teenage boys, one in the 1990s and the other in the 2000s. The victims had been associated with Wrexham AFC, with one being a trialist who had stayed at Jones’s home. The prosecution highlighted that Jones had performed oral sex on one of the victims, who was entrusted to him by his parents and the club. The court heard that Jones’s conduct was a breach of high trust, especially given his role at the football club.

Jones’s history of misconduct also included allegations of grooming and sexual touching during social gatherings at his home, where young men would often go to drink and smoke cannabis. The jury was told that Jones denied all allegations, asserting that he had worked in various roles, including at Denbigh Hospital, restaurants, and on North Sea rigs, and had previously managed pubs. His employment history also included a stint as a catering manager at a superstore and a pub licensee.

The court noted that Jones’s actions had caused significant distress to his victims, some of whom struggled to cope with the trauma. The judge expressed concern over Jones’s failure to surrender to court and rejected his bail application, citing his health issues and lack of proper arrangements for custody. Jones was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life, reflecting the seriousness of his offenses.

In summary, the case of Ieuan Jones has shed light on a troubling pattern of abuse linked to his roles within the community and the football world. His convictions serve as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals and the long-lasting impact of such crimes.