NIGEL YATES FROM LLECHRYD SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES IN LLANGRANNOG AND CARDIGAN

In August 2023, Nigel Yates, a 57-year-old man from Llechryd, was sentenced to prison for multiple sexual offenses involving a young girl. The crimes took place on Christmas Day in 2022, specifically in the coastal village of Llangrannog, and involved the repeated sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl. The case was heard at Swansea Crown Court, where Yates pleaded guilty to three counts of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13.

Prosecutor Helen Randall outlined that the young victim did not disclose the abuse immediately. It was only when she was told they would be visiting the defendant’s house that she confided in her family. During the court proceedings, the victim’s mother expressed her ongoing shock and distress over the incident, noting that her daughter had tried to put on a brave face but was evidently affected by the trauma she endured.

Yates, who resides at Maes Y Coed in Llechryd, initially denied the allegations during police interviews. However, he later admitted to the offenses during the plea and trial preparation hearing. The court also heard that Yates has a troubling criminal history, with four previous convictions for five separate offenses. These include two counts of indecent assault on children in 2001, possession of indecent images of children in 2015, and failure to comply with notification requirements also in 2015. It was revealed that Yates had a tendency to conceal his past convictions from others, raising concerns about his transparency.

In sentencing, the judge described Yates’s sexual interests as “deviant and unhealthy,” noting that these tendencies appeared to be ingrained from his teenage years. The court sentenced him to a total of 42 months in prison, with each of the three offenses running concurrently. Additionally, Yates was subjected to a 10-year restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order, both of which will remain in effect for a decade. He is also required to register as a sex offender indefinitely, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses.

Earlier in July 2023, Yates had admitted to sexually assaulting the same young girl over the Christmas period, with the incidents occurring on December 24, 25, and 26. The charges involved inappropriate touching on three separate occasions, all in Llangrannog. During the court hearing, prosecutor Helen Randall confirmed that the offenses took place on the same night, emphasizing the repeated nature of the abuse. Defense lawyer David Singh requested a pre-sentence report, acknowledging that Yates was aware of the serious consequences he faced. Judge Paul Thomas set a sentencing date for August 18 and granted Yates bail, with the condition that he must continue to register as a sex offender.

Yates’s criminal record also includes a 2015 case where he was found to possess a portfolio of indecent images of children. The images, which police discovered on his computer, were described as more of a naturist type than explicit pornography. The photographs appeared to have been taken at beaches, and some depicted individuals posing nude. At the time, Yates was working as a car park attendant at Poppit Sands and Newport Beach. The police search was conducted at his then-home in Glasfor, Llanfrannog, and although a large amount of camera equipment was seized, no other indecent photographs were found. The judge noted that Yates’s previous conviction for a sexual offense was from some time ago, which influenced the court’s decision to impose a community order and a sexual offences prevention order lasting five years. He was also ordered to pay a government surcharge of £60 and to register as a sex offender, reflecting the ongoing concern about his behavior.