KYLE HERBERT SENTENCED IN TREDEGAR FOR HORRIFIC SEXUAL VIOLENCE

A woman who endured a brutal assault has courageously shared her emotional and psychological struggles following her traumatic experience. She described feeling utterly worthless and heartbroken, battling to manage her daily life after the incident.

Kyle Herbert, aged 28, was sentenced to over ten years in prison after being convicted of subjecting the woman to a series of heinous sexual assaults. Herbert, who hails from Abertysswg in Caerphilly, was brought before Cardiff Crown Court where Judge Lucy Crowther handed down the sentence.

Herbert pleaded guilty to six counts of rape, a decision that brought some relief to the victim, who had to relive her ordeal through her victim impact statement. In her heartfelt testimony, she described the profound torment she has endured and her ongoing struggle to come to terms with what happened.

She explained, “I have suffered horrific sexual violence. I cannot put into words or describe how I feel. When I think about what has happened, I try to rationalise and process everything. I still don't understand what has happened to me. I still feel the same fear I had during each incident as though I am constantly reliving each act of violence even when I am alone.”

The woman further revealed the toll the assault has taken on her mental health, stating, “I struggle with day-to-day life. I have constant flashbacks about what has happened to me. When I am awake, I have thoughts about it. He’s taken a part of me that I will never get back.”

Expressing gratitude for the support she received, she acknowledged that the help from friends, family, and professionals has been vital in her ongoing recovery. “If it wasn't for the people who have supported me through everything, I would have self-destructed,” she admitted. She also conveyed her difficulty in articulating her pain, saying, “Even by writing this, I don't feel like I will ever be able to fully explain what I went through and what I am going through now. He has left me feeling worthless and heartbroken. I hope one day I won’t feel as vulnerable as I do now.”

Herbert’s decision to admit to the multiple rapes provided some measure of relief for the victim, sparing her the ordeal of giving evidence at trial. She expressed that his guilty plea helped her understand that she is not to blame for what happened.

As part of his sentence, Herbert will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life once he is released from prison, a measure intended to protect the community and prevent further harm.