MICHAEL FITCH FROM BUCKLEY AND CARDIFF SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES IN NORTH WALES

In August 2018, a man with connections to Buckley and Cardiff was sentenced to a substantial prison term after admitting to serious sexual offences committed during his teenage years. Michael Scott Fitch, aged 37 at the time of sentencing, was found guilty of multiple counts of indecent assault and acts of indecency involving a young girl.

Fitch's offending spanned a period when he was between 14 and 18 years old, and the victim was between 11 and 15 during the time of the abuse. The victim, who was present in court to give her statement, was visibly distressed as she recounted the profound impact the abuse had on her life. She tearfully expressed, “I had my childhood taken away from me when I was 11. I have no idea who I am and I am not my own person any more. I didn’t want to be here when I was 18 and I don’t now I am 34.”

Judge David Hale, presiding over the case at Mold Crown Court, delivered a stern message to Fitch during sentencing. He stated, “No words of condemnation can be any more judgement than the words issued by your victim today. Your conduct towards her over a period of five years has had a devastating effect on her life.” The judge emphasized the severity of Fitch’s actions and the lasting damage inflicted upon the victim.

Prosecutor Owen Edwards detailed the nature of Fitch’s abuse, revealing that Fitch forced the girl to perform oral sex on him and regularly touched her breasts. The court was also informed that Fitch encouraged the girl to touch his genitals and reassured her that it was “not too bad.” The victim explained that she initially perceived the abuse as “just normal,” but eventually confided in a youth leader about her experiences.

Tragically, the victim’s struggles did not end with the abuse. At the age of 18, she attempted to take her own life, resulting in her being placed on a life support machine. She later disclosed the abuse to her family, but only reported the offences to the police many years after the incidents occurred, which ended in 2000.

The long-term effects of the abuse have been devastating. The victim testified that she has battled suicidal thoughts, addiction issues, self-harm, eating disorders, and an addiction to pornography, all of which she attributes to the trauma she endured.

Fitch, who resides on Pomeroy Street in Cardiff, admitted to multiple charges, including indecently assaulting a child and two counts of gross indecency with a child, all relating to the same period of abuse. He also pleaded guilty to indecent assault of a child. In light of his convictions, the court ordered Fitch to be placed on the sex offenders register for life, underscoring the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.