JOHN REANEY FROM COLWYN BAY JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES WITH 14-YEAR-OLD BOY IN NORTH WALES

In a case that has shocked the community of Colwyn Bay, John Reaney, a former local politician and respected youth worker, was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of engaging in sexual activities with a 14-year-old boy. The incident unfolded after Reaney, aged 51 at the time, arranged to meet the young boy through the popular gay dating app Grindr, leading to a series of events that culminated in his conviction.

Reaney, who had previously served as a councillor on Colwyn Bay Town Council and was known for his involvement in church activities and youth work, had resigned from his council position the previous summer following the charges. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Reaney believed the boy was 16, a misconception he maintained during the encounter. However, the court found that he had deliberately taken a risk by meeting the minor, fully aware that the individual was under the age of consent.

Judge Niclas Parry, presiding over the case at Mold Crown Court, addressed Reaney directly, stating that he had “taken a deliberate risk” when he met the boy on June 29 of the previous year. The judge emphasized that Reaney was aware, in his heart, that the young male he had met less than an hour earlier was under 16, which is a clear legal boundary for sexual activity. The judge further explained that Reaney’s actions were driven by his sexual urges, which overpowered his reason, and he had knowingly broken laws designed to protect minors.

During the sentencing, Judge Parry highlighted that the victim’s mother was aware of what was best for her son and had tried to protect him, but the boy had chosen to ignore her guidance. The court acknowledged that there was no premeditation or grooming involved in the case, and Reaney claimed he believed he was meeting an adult for consensual sex until he saw the boy in person. Nonetheless, the judge made it clear that Reaney should have left immediately upon realizing the true age of the boy.

Reaney, who had no prior criminal record, was described as a man of good character and was well regarded within his church community. He was known for his musical talents, participating actively as a chorister and reader, and for his charitable efforts, including fundraising concerts. His local MP, David Jones, a former Secretary of State for Wales, testified that he and his wife had known Reaney for approximately 11 years through church activities and described him as a kind-hearted individual with a “heart of gold.”

Despite his positive reputation, the court found that Reaney’s actions were out of character and committed in a moment of impulsiveness. He was convicted of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual touching, based on his belief that the boy was 16. The jury took just over an hour to reach a verdict.

Reaney was sentenced to 16 months in prison and was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, marking a significant fall from grace for the once-respected community figure from Colwyn Bay.