JONATHAN MORGAN FROM ST ATHAN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN WALES AND SURREY

In a significant development in the ongoing fight against child sexual abuse, Jonathan Morgan, a man now aged 45 and residing in Marloes, Haverfordwest, Wales, has been convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison for a series of heinous offences committed over a decade ago. Morgan's criminal activities, which spanned several locations including Surrey and South Wales, have finally been brought to justice after years of legal proceedings and investigations.

Initially, Morgan, who was then 38 years old and living at Berkrolles Avenue in St Athan, was linked to allegations dating back to 1998. At that time, a six-year-old girl came forward with accusations of sexual abuse. Despite the seriousness of her claims, police chose not to prosecute Morgan immediately due to insufficient evidence. As a result, he was able to walk free, and the case remained unresolved for years. The court heard that Morgan, originally from Pembrokeshire, had established relationships with the families of his victims, which he exploited to commit his crimes. His offences involved children as young as six, and he used gifts such as a Playboy necklace to groom and manipulate his young victims.

It was only last year that the case took a pivotal turn when a second child came forward with new allegations of sexual assault. Subsequently, a third girl disclosed how Morgan had groomed her, further implicating him in a pattern of predatory behaviour. The police investigation uncovered disturbing evidence, including nine counts of sexual offences and the downloading of indecent images of children. Among these images, police found photographs of children as young as five being raped, some of which were recognized by officers as victims from previous investigations.

During the trial at Cardiff Crown Court, prosecutor Dan Williams highlighted the disturbing timeline of Morgan’s offences. The first incidents were committed while Morgan was stationed at Deepcut Army Barracks in Surrey, where he served as a soldier. The later offences occurred after he had relocated to South Wales, where he had taken up employment as a brewery drayman. The court was told that the two sets of complaints, made nine years apart by children who had never met, demonstrated a disturbing pattern of behaviour.

When police executed a search of Morgan’s residence, they discovered a cache of 134 illegal pornographic images, some depicting children being raped. One of the victims in these images was identified as the same girl who had previously accused Morgan of exposing himself to her multiple times, touching her inappropriately, and coercing her with threats to silence her. The youngest victim depicted in the images was just five years old.

Throughout the proceedings, Morgan maintained his innocence, repeatedly denying the charges and claiming that he was unaware of how the computer images had come to be on his device. He also told the court that the allegations were false and that the accusations were part of a malicious attempt to tarnish his reputation. Despite his denials, the evidence against him was overwhelming, leading to his conviction on nine counts of sexual offences and the possession of indecent images.

Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones sentenced Morgan to seven years in prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender for life upon his release. The court also imposed restrictions on Morgan’s use of computers and the internet, including a ban on accessing chatrooms and online content. The judge remarked that although police had investigated Morgan in 1998, a decision was made at that time not to prosecute, which Morgan believed allowed him to evade justice temporarily. The judge emphasized that Morgan likely thought he had successfully gotten away with his crimes, but the evidence presented in court proved otherwise.

In addition to his criminal sentence, Morgan’s personal life was touched upon during the trial. He is a married man with two sons, and his sexual interests in young girls have been described as unhealthy and deeply troubling. The court heard that his offending behaviour spanned many years, with allegations dating back to when the victim was just six years old. The girl, now a teenager, faced Morgan in court to give her testimony, including a video interview she had recorded as a young child. Her courage in facing her abuser and recounting her experiences was noted as a significant aspect of the case.

As Morgan begins his prison term, the authorities have made it clear that he will be closely monitored. His conviction serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for continued efforts to protect vulnerable children from predators like him. The case also underscores the importance of preserving evidence, even when initial investigations do not lead to prosecution, as it can be crucial in bringing offenders to justice years later.