JOSEPH WILSON FROM LLANRUMNEY SHOCKS CARDIFF WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT IN CATHAYS

In the early hours of a summer morning in Cardiff, a disturbing incident unfolded that has left the local community shaken. Joseph Wilson, a 29-year-old man residing in Llanrumney, was found guilty of following a university student through the streets of Cardiff and subjecting her to a sexual assault that has deeply affected her. The assault took place in the vicinity of Cathays, an area known for its vibrant student population and nightlife, making the incident particularly alarming for residents and visitors alike.

According to court proceedings, the victim, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, had been out socializing with friends in Cardiff city centre. She left her companions and headed home alone, having consumed alcohol during her night out. At approximately 2:30 a.m., she was walking through the Cathays area when she first noticed a man walking behind her on the opposite side of the road. The man, later identified as Joseph Wilson, was about 15 to 20 meters behind her, and this initial sighting caused her to feel uneasy. To seek reassurance and possibly alert someone to her situation, she sent a message to a friend via her mobile phone.

As she continued her walk, Wilson persisted in following her for several minutes. His presence became increasingly unsettling as she approached the train station car park in Cathays. At this point, her anxiety heightened, and she became more vigilant. The victim recounted that Wilson eventually caught up with her and came up from behind. When she turned to face him, he unexpectedly grabbed her buttocks. She was wearing a dress with two fabric layers, and although his fingers did not make direct contact with her skin, they pushed up between her legs, causing her to feel violated. She immediately twisted away and exclaimed, “what the f***,” expressing her shock and disgust.

Despite her clear demand for him to leave her alone, Wilson continued his assault. He grabbed her buttocks again and pressed further between her legs, an act she described as more evasive and invasive than the first. Overcome with fear and feeling increasingly threatened, the victim ran away from him and sought refuge at her home. Once there, she contacted the police to report the incident. Officers arrived promptly and took her to identify her attacker. Wilson was located nearby, and during his arrest, police found 0.2 grams of cocaine on his person. The court heard that Wilson was under the influence of both alcohol and cocaine at the time of the assault.

In his police interview, Wilson admitted to the offences but was unable to provide a clear explanation for his actions. He expressed remorse and apologized for what he had done. The victim, in a heartfelt victim impact statement read aloud in court, described the lasting effects of the assault. She revealed that she has struggled to forget the incident, especially during the night, and expressed her confusion and anger over Wilson’s claim that it was “just a joke.”

She stated, “I still don’t understand why he did it and why he said it was a just a joke, who finds that funny? I was on my own at night and he walked up behind me and grabbed me there. It would have been bad enough if he had done it once. I didn’t find it funny, I was violated. I have been sexually assaulted before and I didn’t let it ruin my life but I have never forgotten it. I am very wary out at night on my own and I shouldn’t have to look over my shoulder. I shouldn’t have to feel guilty for contacting friends at night just to feel safe. I should be able to go out and have fun with my friends in Cardiff whenever I want without feeling like prey.”

She further described feeling hunted and scared whenever she walks alone, especially after the incident, and expressed her belief that Wilson’s actions seemed deliberate and malicious. Her plea to the court was clear: “What he did to me was disgusting, completely unacceptable and criminal. When I told him to stop he just did it again.”

Judge Thomas Crowther QC, presiding over the case at Newport Crown Court, emphasized the severity of Wilson’s conduct, citing the victim’s statement as a stark reminder of the impact of such crimes. The judge acknowledged Wilson’s remorse and intoxication but underscored that personal responsibility remains paramount. He stated, “An adult has to make decisions on how they live but if you take alcohol and drugs which cause you to act in an out of character way, you cannot blame anybody else. You terrified a stranger who has the right to walk the streets of Cardiff without the threat of being sexually assaulted. The public would be horrified if a serious sexual assault such as this did not result in an immediate custodial sentence.”

Consequently, Joseph Wilson, of Ball Road, Llanrumney, was sentenced to eight months in prison for his actions. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by individuals, especially women, when confronted with predatory behavior in public spaces. The community and authorities alike hope that such sentences will act as a deterrent against similar offences in the future.