LEON SHINKWIN FROM BRONLLYS ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD SEX OFFENCE CONVICTION IN POWYS

In a recent court hearing held at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, Leon Shinkwin, a 34-year-old resident of Bronllys near Brecon, was handed a sentence that, while serious, did not result in immediate imprisonment. The court sentenced Shinkwin to 10 months in prison, but this term was suspended for a period of two years, meaning he will not serve time unless he commits another offence within that timeframe.

Shinkwin’s case attracted significant attention due to the nature of the offences he admitted to. Initially, he had denied all four charges brought against him, and his case was scheduled for a trial. However, on March 29, he changed his plea and admitted to all charges, which included possession and creation of illegal images involving minors.

Specifically, Shinkwin confessed to producing 16 indecent images of children and possessing a total of 73 prohibited images of minors. These offences took place in Bronllys, within the boundaries of Powys, over a period spanning from April 1, 2019, to May 8, 2021. The court also heard that during the same period, he possessed an image of an extreme pornographic nature involving an animal, specifically a pig.

Further, Shinkwin admitted to breaching a sexual harm prevention order issued by Merthyr Crown Court in December 2017. The breach involved him deleting his internet browsing history between November 3, 2020, and March 10, 2021, in an apparent attempt to conceal his activities. This order was designed to restrict his online behaviour and prevent further offences.

As part of the sentence, Shinkwin, who resides on Pont-y-Wal Lane in Bronllys, will be required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years. Additionally, he will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration, imposing restrictions on his online activity and contact with minors. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of his offences, but the suspended sentence indicates a judicial decision balancing punishment with the potential for rehabilitation.