MARK LEWIS FROM PONTYPRIDD ESCAPES PRISON AFTER ABUSING GIRL IN NORTH AND SOUTH WALES

A man named Mark Lewis, aged 49, who was serving as a cadet instructor at Treorchy Comprehensive School in the Rhondda, appeared before Newport Crown Court to face serious allegations of child sexual abuse. Despite the gravity of the charges, Lewis was ultimately spared a prison sentence after being convicted of multiple offences related to the abuse of a young girl.

Lewis, a married man and father of one, was identified as the School Staff Instructor for the combined cadet force at the school. The court proceedings revealed that the abuse took place over a period of time, with some incidents occurring in North Wales and others in South Wales. The repeated nature of the abuse was a significant factor in the case, with the court hearing that a total of 14 allegations had been made against the same victim.

The court was informed that Lewis’s actions included five counts of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 17, exploiting his position of trust as an instructor. Additionally, he faced seven counts of similar sexual activity with the same age group, along with two counts of rape, although these last charges could not be substantiated with sufficient evidence. The trial, which extended into its third week, involved four days of jury deliberation before a verdict was reached.

In sentencing, the judge decided to impose a suspended prison term of two years, meaning Lewis would not serve time in prison unless he committed another offence during that period. The court also ordered him to complete a rehabilitation program, undertake 230 hours of unpaid work, and adhere to a 10-year registration on the sex offenders register. Furthermore, a 25-year restraining order was issued to prevent any contact with the victim.

It was also noted that Lewis had a prior criminal history. In 2013, he served a four-year prison sentence after being convicted of defrauding the tax authorities of more than £885,000. His wife, who is a professional fraud investigator, received an 18-month suspended sentence for laundering some of the stolen money, highlighting a history of criminal activity within the family.

Lewis’s case underscores the serious nature of abuse within trusted positions and the ongoing efforts of the justice system to address such crimes, even when the offender avoids immediate imprisonment.