JAMES HANNA FROM BLAENAVON SENTENCED TO 60 YEARS IN US FOR RAPE AND CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In a case that has spanned continents and brought to light disturbing allegations, James Hanna, a 67-year-old man originally from Blaenavon, has been sentenced to an additional 60 years in prison in the United States after admitting to serious charges of rape and producing child sexual abuse images.

Hanna, who previously gained notoriety in Wales for his involvement in a project aimed at transforming Blaenavon into a prominent book town akin to Hay-on-Wye, faced a series of grave accusations in Arkansas. During a court hearing in Madison County, Hanna changed his plea from not guilty to guilty on three counts of rape. The court subsequently handed down a sentence of 60 years without the possibility of parole, emphasizing the severity of his crimes.

His criminal record in the US includes a conviction last month for the production of indecent images of two 13-year-old girls, which resulted in a 60-year prison sentence. The court also imposed a fine of $25,000 and mandated that any potential release would require strict supervision. The United States attorney, Conner Eldridge, condemned Hanna’s actions, stating, “Crimes against children victimise the most vulnerable in our communities. The defendant in this case produced child pornography by preying on several minor girls, some as young as 13 years old.”

Hanna’s arrest in August of the previous year was initiated by American authorities in Madison County, Arkansas. The investigation revealed that he had been involved in the production of sexually explicit images of at least six minors, aged between 13 and 16. The allegations first surfaced when a concerned parent reported suspicions that Hanna had sexually assaulted two 13-year-old girls.

Prior to his arrest, Hanna had been a notable figure in Blaenavon, where he owned a bookshop and was involved in community projects, including a local photography scheme for young people and the Blaenavon doorway project aimed at helping troubled youth. He also maintained connections with local schools through the Booktown initiative. Despite his activities in Wales, a review conducted by Gwent Police found no evidence of criminal conduct while Hanna resided in the UK.

Following his arrest, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office provided Gwent Police with five indecent images believed to be from outside the United States. Gwent Police conducted thorough investigations into these images, concluding that the individuals depicted did not appear to be from the Gwent area. The images are now being forwarded to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre for further analysis.

Additionally, Gwent Police reviewed allegations from 2004 concerning Hanna’s alleged involvement in fraud and possession of indecent images. Their investigation found no clear evidence of any crimes committed in Wales during that period. A file of evidence related to the fraud allegations was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service in 2006, which decided not to pursue further action at that time.