JOHN LEE FROM OGMORE-BY-SEA SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR PAEDOPHILIC ABUSES IN BRIDGEND

In October 2001, a disturbing case emerged involving John Lee, a 54-year-old taxi driver from Ogmore-by-Sea, who was convicted of sexually abusing three young boys over a span of more than a decade. The heinous acts took place within the confines of his vehicle and his home, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior that shocked the local community and drew widespread condemnation.

John Lee had established a disturbing pattern of grooming and abusing the boys, beginning with an eight-year-old child in 1994. The abuse started after his employer, Radio Cabs based in Bridgend, assigned him to do a school run for the young boy. Over time, Lee cultivated a false sense of trust with the child's family, forging a friendship that appeared caring on the surface but was marred by sinister intent. The court heard that Lee was seen as a father figure by the boy, who looked up to him and was vulnerable due to learning difficulties.

Lee's grooming extended beyond the taxi rides; he would give the boy presents, claiming they were tokens of encouragement for his progress in reading. These gifts, along with the abuse, occurred both inside the taxi and at Lee’s bungalow in Ogmore-by-Sea. The abuse was so severe that the police were alerted after a passer-by witnessed Lee engaging in inappropriate acts with the now 14-year-old boy in his cab and reported the incident.

During the trial at Cardiff Crown Court, Lee admitted to a series of grave offenses, including 10 counts of rape, 10 counts of indecent assault, and four counts of gross indecency. The court described him as a “predatory paedophile,” emphasizing that his motives were driven solely by sexual desire. Judge John Griffith Williams condemned Lee’s actions, stating, “These are very serious offences of predatory paedophilia. You befriended each of the boys when they were young. You befriended the families of two of them. You breached the trust of these families. Your motive throughout your association with each of these three boys was entirely sexual.”

He further added that Lee, who is identified as a homosexual paedophile, posed a significant risk to young boys in the future. As a result, Lee was sentenced to a decade behind bars and was also ordered to register as a sex offender, with a ban from working with children. The defense, represented by Nicola Harris, argued that Lee was aware of the danger he posed and expressed remorse for his actions, even appearing almost relieved to have been caught. The court’s verdict underscores the gravity of the crimes committed by John Lee in Ogmore-by-Sea and Bridgend, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilance and protection of vulnerable children from such predatory individuals.