KAREL WOOD FROM DEINIOLEN SENTENCED IN CAERNARFON FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST CHILD VICTIMS

In August 2019, a significant case concluded at Caernarfon Crown Court involving Karel Vaughan Wood, a 63-year-old man from Deiniolen near Caernarfon, who was found guilty of serious sexual offences. The case drew considerable attention due to the nature of the allegations and the lengthy period over which the offences allegedly occurred.

Wood had been charged with multiple counts of indecent assault and inciting a child under 14 to commit an act of gross indecency. Throughout the trial, he maintained his innocence, vehemently denying the accusations brought against him. The proceedings lasted four days, during which the jury, composed of six men and six women, carefully examined the evidence presented.

After deliberation, the jury reached a unanimous verdict, convicting Wood on all charges. The court subsequently sentenced him to five years in prison. Judge Huw Rees, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of the offences, stating, “These offences are so serious only a custodial sentence is justified.”

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Rees acknowledged that Wood’s criminal record was limited, and this was his first experience of incarceration. However, he also pointed out that Wood had chosen to contest the allegations, which did not warrant any reduction in his sentence. The judge made it clear that the seriousness of the crimes warranted a custodial sentence regardless of the defendant’s previous convictions.

The case involved offences committed over a span of several decades. One of the victims had reported her abuse to her mother, but at the time, no formal report was made to the authorities. It was only years later that both women learned of each other's experiences and decided to report the incidents to the police. Wood was subsequently interviewed and charged after the police investigation.

During the trial, Wood took the stand to defend himself, claiming that the women’s accounts were false. He insisted that their stories were fabricated and that other witnesses’ testimonies were based solely on what the women had told them. When questioned about the allegations, Wood repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, asserting, “They never happened,” and “I’m telling the truth about all of this. None of this ever happened.”

In addition to his prison sentence, Wood was ordered to register as a sex offender for an indefinite period. He was also prohibited from making any contact, either directly or indirectly, with the two women involved in the case. The court’s ruling aims to protect the victims and prevent any further harm or intimidation.

This case highlights the long-lasting impact of childhood abuse and the importance of justice for victims, regardless of how much time has passed since the offences occurred.