WREXHAM ROOFER MATTHEW ALI ACCUSED OF SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING VULNERABLE GIRL IN CAIA PARK

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Wrexham, Matthew Ali, a 28-year-old roofer from Pentre Gwyn in Caia Park, was brought before Mold Crown Court to face serious allegations involving a young girl from the area. The charges stem from incidents that took place during late 2011 and early 2012, involving a girl who was only 13 years old at the time.

According to court proceedings, Ali exploited the girl’s vulnerability by engaging in inappropriate and criminal behavior. The prosecution outlined that Ali began to show an inappropriate interest in the girl, who was described as vulnerable and lacking financial resources. He reportedly made lewd remarks and offered her money in exchange for sexual acts, which often occurred behind a community center in Wrexham. The situation escalated when Ali insisted that she perform full sexual intercourse, threatening not to pay her unless she complied. The first instance of rape was believed to have occurred during their initial sexual encounter, with the prosecution asserting that there was no genuine consent from the girl, who described the experience as horrid.

Further allegations revealed that Ali took the girl to a friend’s flat while the friend was hospitalized. The court heard that the girl was able to describe some surgical clips or stitches kept in a bowl at the flat, which Ali denied taking her there but claimed he had told her sister about the stitches. The sister, however, contradicted this, stating there had been no mention of stitches and that Ali had been flirtatious with her and had asked her to meet him at the flat.

Tragically, the girl’s distress led her to self-harm, and during her recovery at a hospital in Chester, she confided in a nurse that an older man was paying her for sex. This revelation prompted a police investigation, during which authorities seized mobile phones and examined social media activity. Despite Ali’s claims of no contact, police found evidence of 1,368 contacts, calls, and texts from his phone, along with deleted Facebook messages between him and the girl.

Ali maintained his innocence throughout the trial, asserting that he had never spoken to or had any sexual contact with the girl. He claimed that someone else must have used his phone and impersonated him on Facebook, suggesting he was being set up. He also pointed out that he had tattoos, including one reading ‘Cymru’ on his neck, which the girl had not mentioned. Ali insisted he had a normal, healthy relationship with his partner and denied any involvement in the alleged crimes, asserting that he was short of money and that the accusations were false.

During the court proceedings, Ali’s partner and her mother provided character references, standing by him despite the serious allegations. However, the jury found him guilty of all charges, including paying a child for sexual services and the initial rape. Judge Philip Hughes ordered Ali to be remanded in custody until sentencing scheduled for September. The judge also indicated that he would seek a pre-sentence report to determine whether Ali should be classified as a dangerous offender. Ali was also ordered to register as a sex offender and was warned that he faced a custodial sentence measured in several years, reflecting the gravity of the crimes committed in Wrexham and Caia Park.