CAERGWRLE COUNCIL OFFICIAL KELVIN ARDEN SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES IN WREXHAM

In December 2007, Kelvin Arden, a respected local government employee from Caergwrle, was sentenced to four years and four months in prison after being found guilty of multiple sex offences. Arden, aged 56, who served as a transport and planning manager for Wrexham County Borough Council, had maintained a reputation as a reliable and esteemed figure within his community, earning the admiration of colleagues, family members, and friends alike.

However, beneath this facade of respectability, Arden was leading a disturbing double life characterized by a pattern of sexual misconduct and indecent exposure. His secret activities included exposing himself to young girls and engaging in sexual abuse, some of which dated back to the late 1980s and early 1990s. The full extent of his offending only came to light during the court proceedings, revealing a troubling history of predatory behavior.

Arden’s criminal acts came to public attention when he admitted to indecently exposing himself to a young girl in a Wrexham shop in June of the current year. The incident was witnessed by the girl’s mother, who noticed her daughter appearing pale and frightened. The girl later told her mother that Arden had shown her his genitals. When the mother confronted Arden in the store’s car park, he dismissed her concerns, claiming, “don’t be silly,” and then drove away, leaving the children visibly shaken and distressed. During police interviews, Arden denied the allegations, describing them as “bloody ludicrous” and expressing frustration about being questioned, stating, “it is upsetting for me to be here.”

Further investigations uncovered a series of similar offences. A woman who came forward recounted that Arden had exposed himself to her approximately 300 times over the years, often using a hole in his pocket or wearing shorts to facilitate his indecent acts. Another victim described how Arden had touched her over her clothes when she was a child and had coerced her into touching him. The court heard that Arden had repeatedly exposed himself to a young girl from the age of 10, and more recently, in a shop, which led to his arrest and subsequent conviction.

Judge Christopher Morton highlighted the severity of Arden’s crimes, stating that if the case had gone to trial, the sentence would have been around six and a half years. Arden was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, a measure that underscores the gravity of his offences. The judge detailed how Arden had engaged in repeated indecent assaults, touching a teenage girl over her clothes and encouraging her to touch him, alongside the numerous instances of public indecency involving young girls.

Prosecutor Tom Morgan-Jones provided a detailed account of the June incident, emphasizing the impact on the young girl and her family. The court was told that Arden’s actions had a profound and lasting effect on his victims, with the judge noting that “the effect on each of the children was considerable.”

In his defense, Arden’s lawyer, Andrew Jebb, presented a picture of a man with a dual personality. Jebb explained that Arden had joined Clwyd County Council in 1972, rising through the ranks to hold a responsible position, and had been highly regarded by those around him. Jebb also revealed that Arden had resigned from his position at Wrexham Council following his arrest, prior to being dismissed. The defense argued that Arden’s outward appearance was that of an upstanding community member, and that his true nature was hidden from those who thought they knew him well.

In conclusion, the court’s verdict reflects the serious nature of Arden’s crimes and the betrayal of trust involved. Arden was sentenced to serve over four years in prison, with a lifelong requirement to register as a sex offender, marking a significant step in addressing the harm caused by his predatory behavior in Caergwrle, Wrexham, and beyond.