MICHAEL GELDART FROM LLANRWST SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING VULNERABLE WOMAN IN NORTH WALES

In June 2015, a man from North Wales, identified as Michael Geldart, was sentenced to a significant prison term after being found guilty of engaging in multiple sexual acts with a woman suffering from a mental disorder. The incident took place in Llanrwst, where Geldart resided on Llanddoget Road. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of exploitation and abuse by Geldart, who was 65 years old at the time.

Judge Rhys Rowlands, presiding over the case at Mold Crown Court, handed down a seven-year prison sentence to Geldart. In addition to his incarceration, the judge ordered that Geldart must register as a sex offender for life, a measure intended to monitor and restrict his future activities. Furthermore, a lifetime sexual harm prevention order was issued, explicitly prohibiting him from working with children or vulnerable individuals in any capacity.

The judge emphasized that but for Geldart’s early guilty pleas, he would have faced a ten-year prison sentence. Geldart admitted to six separate offenses involving sexual activity with a woman who was unable to refuse due to her mental health condition. The court heard that Geldart exploited her vulnerability, beginning with gestures of affection such as kissing and hugging, then progressing to touching her over her clothing, and eventually engaging in simulated sexual acts.

One particularly grave incident involved penetrative activity, during which Geldart convinced the woman to perform oral sex on him. The judge described this as a repeated pattern of predatory behavior, highlighting the calculated nature of his actions. The victim, significantly younger than Geldart—less than half his age—and suffering from a mental disability, was profoundly affected by the abuse. Her mother recounted the emotional toll, noting that the victim had been coerced into promising secrecy about what was happening.

While Geldart’s pre-sentence report contained some contradictory statements—suggesting that the conduct might have been consensual and that the victim did not suffer harm—the judge expressed concern over his lack of insight. He pointed out that these claims demonstrated a troubling denial of the severity of his actions and the harm inflicted.

The court acknowledged that Geldart had no previous convictions and had spent his life supporting his family until his retirement. The prosecution, led by Andrew Green, detailed how the victim was visibly upset and had asked her mother if she could become pregnant, indicating her confusion and distress. The victim described her fear of Geldart, recounting how he had initially approached her inappropriately but then crossed the line into hurting her physically and emotionally. When confronted, Geldart apologized, claiming he did not know what had come over him, but the victim’s account painted a picture of a young woman who was terrified and deeply harmed by his actions.

This case underscores the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation and highlights the judicial system’s response to such serious offenses in North Wales.