MALCOLM MONTGOMERY AND SHOCKING SEXUAL OFFENCES IN DENBIGSHIRE

A man identified as Malcolm Montgomery has been found guilty of engaging in sexual assault against a young boy, as well as multiple breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), and has subsequently been sentenced to serve a prison term. Montgomery, aged 67, residing at Llys Esgob Morgan, Is Terfyn, St Asaph, received a 27-month jail sentence at Mold Crown Court on November 29.

The court proceedings revealed that Montgomery’s criminal history includes a case from 2006, when he was imprisoned for seven years at Liverpool Crown Court after being convicted of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy. An indefinite SHPO was imposed following his previous conviction, aimed at preventing him from working with children or being in the company of anyone under the age of 16 unless an adult is present. Despite this, Montgomery was accused of repeatedly breaching the terms of his SHPO in May and June of 2022.

Prosecutor Nicholas Williams detailed how Montgomery had facilitated access to children by allowing them into his residence. He was accused of enticing minors by offering them cigarettes and vapes, which he used as a lure. The court was informed that Montgomery sexually assaulted a 13-year-old boy by touching his genitals over his clothing. Evidence indicated that he had shared a gate code with children, enabling them to knock on his door, and neighbors reportedly observed several children standing outside his property. One neighbor described the situation as being quite frequent.

A victim recounted visiting Montgomery’s home with a friend and older boys from their school year, having been told he could obtain cigarettes from Montgomery. It was only after about five or six visits that he actually entered Montgomery’s house. During these visits, Montgomery invited him inside to watch football, and the boy claimed that Montgomery kept giving him and his friends items they wanted. The victim disclosed that he had told Montgomery his age was 13, sometimes appearing at his residence dressed in school uniform.

Over the course of approximately six or seven visits, Montgomery’s interactions took a more concerning turn. The boy reported that Montgomery began asking inappropriate and sexual questions, making both him and his friends uncomfortable. The situation escalated when Montgomery touched him on his genitals over his clothing, asking if he could get an erection, after which the boy chose not to return. Another child admitted to visiting Montgomery’s house only twice, describing the experience as “weird,” noting that Montgomery asked him strange questions. A third child, aged 12, visited multiple times and once sat in Montgomery’s living room for about an hour. She recounted that Montgomery told her his wife had died and expressed that he was “really lonely,” before giving her a necklace.

Following his arrest, Montgomery admitted that one of the children had been visiting his address almost daily for several months. He did not deny that conversations of a sexual nature had taken place but claimed that these discussions had been initiated by the boys themselves. Montgomery also admitted to giving cigarettes to children, sometimes when they were in their school uniforms. However, he firmly denied any sexual contact with the boy he was alleged to have touched, asserting he had no recollection of the SHPO or its specific conditions.

During his defense, Sarah Yates argued that there was little evidence of harm beyond what Montgomery had already acknowledged, characterizing his life as lonely and isolated prior to making what she called “foolish decisions.” She pointed out that since his remand on June 23, Montgomery had engaged constructively, including securing employment and participating with a mental health team while in custody. Montgomery is prescribed medication for depression and suicidal thoughts.

Ms. Yates also noted that Montgomery has family elsewhere and intends to relocate out of North Wales to escape his circumstances. The presiding judge, Rhys Rowlands, emphasized that Montgomery would remain on the sex offender register indefinitely and is prohibited from working with children or vulnerable adults in the future. A victim surcharge of £190 was imposed, to be paid upon Montgomery’s release.

Judge Rowlands expressed strong disapproval, stating, “The bottom line is he is subject to this order. Suggesting he had forgotten about it is nonsense. There is no way he wouldn’t have known the prohibitions. It was almost like Fagin’s Den.” He emphasized that the SHPO was imposed following “very serious, depraved sexual behaviour” intended to protect minors from further harm. Despite this, Montgomery was found to have breached the order in May and June, and was convicted of a specific sexual assault against a 13-year-old boy. The judge stated, “It’s quite clear to me you were seeking to groom them. (It was) totally inappropriate, concerning behaviour.”

Concluding his remarks, Judge Rowlands made it clear that Montgomery’s deliberate breaches and sexual offences demonstrated his unreformed state, leading to the conclusion that there is no immediate prospect of rehabilitation. His behaviour underscores the grave threat he poses to children, and the court’s sentences reflect the seriousness with which such violations are treated.