ABERDARE MAN MATTHEW TROAKES SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR HORRIFIC SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Aberdare, Matthew Troakes, a 33-year-old man, was convicted of a prolonged and heinous campaign of sexual abuse against a young girl. The court proceedings revealed a pattern of predatory behavior that spanned several years, leaving the victim and her family devastated.

Troakes, who resided on College Street in Aberdare, faced a total of ten charges, including sexual assault of a child under 13, rape of a child under 13, and attempted rape. Despite his vehement denial of the allegations, a jury composed of five men and seven women took only 31 minutes to reach a unanimous verdict of guilt on all counts. The judge, Thomas Crowther QC, described the case as one that “defies belief,” emphasizing the severity and depravity of Troakes’s actions.

The court was informed that the young girl, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, was subjected to repeated sexual abuse by Troakes over a period of years. The victim’s mother recounted the emotional toll of discovering her daughter’s suffering, revealing that her daughter confided in her last October about the abuse. With Troakes now convicted and sentenced, the mother expressed a sense of relief, stating, “We just wanted justice and we have had it. We think it should be more but it is never going to be enough.”

Prosecutor Ieuan Morris detailed how Troakes exploited every opportunity to be alone with the girl, seeking to derive pleasure from his illicit acts. The jury heard that the girl consistently rejected Troakes’s advances, and the day after the initial incident, she believed he had apologized by asking her not to tell anyone, fearing he would lose his family. However, Troakes’s behavior did not cease; instead, it escalated, with him persistently pestering her for sexual favors and intercourse, often making inappropriate remarks when she refused.

The abuse took place in secluded areas, including locations around Troakes’s father’s business in Robertstown. Court testimony revealed that Troakes’s misconduct became increasingly risky, even occurring while he was cradling his own infant daughter. Judge Crowther condemned this behavior sharply, stating, “It defies belief that you could express that love for your baby daughter at the moment you were defiling somebody else’s.”

The judge further described the victim’s initial life as stable and joyful, highlighting her bright, sporty nature and her nearing adolescence before the abuse began. Troakes’s manipulation included threats of losing his wife and children if she disclosed the abuse, which he falsely presented as an apology. As his confidence grew, he became more brazen, attempting to coerce her into full sexual intercourse. The girl was left feeling dirty, guilty, and ashamed, enduring ongoing sexual violence at his hands.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Crowther acknowledged the profound courage of the girl in confronting her abuser and praised her mother’s dignity during the trial. Troakes was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with additional requirements including a £120 victim surcharge and a lifelong registration as a sex offender. The case has left a lasting impact on the Aberdare community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from such heinous crimes.