KENNETH PUGH FROM RHOSDDU, WREXHAM, SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Rhosddu and Wrexham, Kenneth Edward Pugh, aged 67, has been sentenced to a decade in prison following his admission to multiple serious sexual offences. The court proceedings, held at Mold Crown Court, revealed the disturbing extent of Pugh’s criminal conduct, which spanned over several years and inflicted profound harm on his victims.

Kenneth Pugh, residing on Holyrood Crescent in the Garden Village area of Wrexham, faced a series of charges that included indecency with a child, three counts of indecent assault, rape, and sexual penetration. The court was told that Pugh’s offending had a devastating impact on the victim’s life, with her describing her experience as a “Hell-hole” from which she felt she could never escape. The judge, Niclas Parry, emphasized that Pugh had subjected his victim to serious sexual abuse and rape, acts carried out for his own sexual gratification over many years, during a period when she was particularly vulnerable.

Judge Parry acknowledged the significant emotional and psychological toll inflicted upon the victim, noting that she had suffered from depression and feelings of worthlessness as a result of the abuse. Her testimony painted a harrowing picture of a life overshadowed by trauma, with her describing her existence as a “Hell-hole” she could not escape. Despite the long-lasting damage, she was beginning to rebuild her life with the support of her partner and her own resilience.

The court also considered Pugh’s criminal history, which included a previous prison sentence for sexual offences against other females. At the time of sentencing, Pugh was found to be genuinely remorseful, accepting full responsibility for his actions. The judge pointed out that Pugh had no convictions prior to these offences but had since been convicted of other sexual crimes. Pugh was assessed as a low risk of re-offending, but the court stressed the importance of lifelong registration as a sex offender.

During the hearing, Pugh’s defence lawyer, John Wyn Williams, explained that his client had been running his own business but had lost his job, was battling alcohol issues, and was in a “very bad place” at the time of the offences, many of which were historic. Williams highlighted that Pugh had come to terms with his past actions and was committed to making positive changes. He expressed that Pugh understood the need for help to understand the underlying reasons for his behaviour and indicated that he would actively participate in sex offender treatment programs, which was considered unusual but promising in such cases.

Prosecutor Matthew Curtis detailed the long-term effects of the abuse on the victim, noting her ongoing efforts to address the trauma with specialist counselling and the support of her partner. The court was also informed that Pugh was suffering from health issues, including a heart defect that had required surgery, as well as diabetes. Pugh was arrested in July of the previous year but chose not to comment during police interviews.

In a separate incident dating back to July 2013, Pugh, then aged 65, was convicted of possessing child abuse images and engaging in historic sexual offences. His defence acknowledged that he was “haunted” by his actions and expressed a willingness to cooperate with authorities to understand his behaviour better. Pugh admitted to possessing numerous indecent images and videos of children, as well as extreme material involving animals and humans. The court heard that police had seized his computer and other devices during a search warrant executed in February, revealing a staggering number of illegal images—8,962 still images and 184 videos involving children aged between one and thirteen, along with 288 images and seven videos of extreme pornography involving children and animals.

Judge Parry described the offences as particularly serious, especially given the historical abuse of a very young child and the nature of the images involved. He emphasized that Pugh’s viewing of such material was a grave matter, with the images at the most severe levels of depravity. Despite the seriousness, the judge acknowledged Pugh’s genuine remorse and guilt, noting that he had pleaded guilty to seven charges of indecent assault dating back to the 1980s, and had admitted to possessing the images before police discovered them.

Prosecutor Simon Mills recounted that Pugh initially claimed he was searching for indecent images out of curiosity, not due to a sexual attraction to children, and that he had since moved on to viewing material involving animals. The court was told that a woman had come forward with allegations of sexual assault from her youth, further implicating Pugh’s disturbing history.

Given the extensive nature of his offences, Pugh was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with a 10-year order to register as a sex offender and a Sexual Offences Prevention Order to restrict his future internet use. The judge took into account Pugh’s age, health, and previously good character when delivering the sentence, but made it clear that the gravity of his crimes warranted significant punishment. Pugh’s health issues, including his heart condition and diabetes, were also considered during sentencing, underscoring the complex circumstances surrounding his case.