LEWIS TRENCHARD AND SHOCKING CRIMES IN GLOUCESTER AND PONTYPRIDD

A notorious and persistent offender, Lewis Trenchard, has been sentenced to 28 months in prison following a series of alarming and violent criminal acts that spanned across Gloucester and Pontypridd. The lengthy set of offences includes a disturbing mix of sexual assault, indecent exposure, shoplifting, and racially offensive behaviour directed at a police officer.

Before these recent incidents, Trenchard, aged 23, based in Gloucester and previously from Cinderford, had accumulated an extensive criminal record comprising approximately 70 previous convictions. His criminal history, which dates back to 2015, features a range of offences including forty theft-related crimes, criminal damage, battery, actual bodily harm, burglary, multiple robberies, and public disorder charges. The severity and frequency of his past actions depict a pattern of reckless and damaging behaviour.

The latest episode of criminal activity came to light during a court hearing at Gloucester Crown Court, where Trenchard admitted to multiple charges. His offences in Sedbury and Cheltenham revealed a troubling pattern of violent and invasive conduct. Prosecutor Rhianna Fricker detailed the chronology of events, which began on January 18, 2021, when Trenchard was living in Cheltenham.

On that day, a woman residing in an apartment block was confronted with Trenchard, who was heavily intoxicated and behaving aggressively. Despite COVID-19 restrictions prohibiting indoor gatherings, Trenchard entered and exited her flat without permission. He physically restrained her on her sofa, pressing his hips against her inappropriately, which constitutes sexual assault. After being forcibly removed from her flat, police received reports of Trenchard running into a busy road, where he clambered onto a car’s bonnet before being tackled away by a bystander.

Further misconduct unfolded shortly afterward. The same woman, who observed Trenchard’s earlier assault, saw him join her outside and witnessed his indecent exposure, which made her feel extremely uncomfortable. Trenchard repeatedly exposed himself, then violently kicked out at the window of her flat, smashing it in the process. He laughed off the damage and later approached the woman again, touching her breasts without consent.

Later that day, police apprehended Trenchard at a nearby shop, where he was found concealing goods within his clothing, adding theft charges to his list of offences. The prosecutor highlighted that Trenchard’s history of violence and theft dates back several years, with previous convictions including multiple criminal damage incidents, battery, robbery, and being intoxicated and disorderly.

During the court proceedings, Trenchard’s defence attorney, Thomas Griffiths, acknowledged the disturbing nature of his client’s actions and his lengthy criminal record. He explained that Trenchard’s longstanding issues with alcohol and drugs stem from a difficult childhood, which contributed to his pattern of offending. Griffiths noted that Trenchard had been held in custody on remand since May of the previous year, effectively serving around 20 months behind bars.

Trenchard expressed a desire to be released early, primarily to support his terminally ill mother, who is battling cancer, and he pleaded for leniency, hoping to start anew in Bridgend. He conveyed remorse for his actions, particularly regarding his past substance abuse, which he now committed himself to avoiding permanently.

In sentencing, Judge Lowe acknowledged that although Trenchard’s background provided some context, it did not justify his aggressive and invasive behaviour. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the crimes, particularly the sexual assault, and mandated a two-year restraining order to prevent him from contacting the victim in any manner. Additionally, Trenchard was ordered to pay £264.64 in compensation for damage caused to the victim’s flat.

While the 28-month sentence does not mean immediate release, the judge indicated Trenchard would likely be released in the near future, considering his time served. Concluding his remarks, Judge Lowe expressed sympathy for Trenchard’s personal circumstances, notably his mother’s illness, and hoped for his early release so he could be there for her during her final days.