PATRICK LOVELESS SENTENCED IN PENARTH FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS AT CARDIFF CROWN COURT

In September 2020, a disturbing case unfolded at Cardiff Crown Court involving Patrick Loveless, a 63-year-old resident of Penarth, who was convicted of multiple serious sexual offenses against young girls. The courtroom was tense as Loveless, displaying a defiant attitude, shook his head in the dock as the judge delivered his sentence following the guilty verdicts.

Loveless was found guilty of sexually assaulting two girls on separate occasions. The court proceedings revealed that he had committed one girl’s assault twice and another girl’s once, with the incidents occurring over a period that left lasting scars on the victims. The court heard detailed accounts of the assaults, which deeply affected the victims’ lives.

During the trial, a victim personal statement was read aloud by prosecutor Clare Wilks. One of the young women described the ongoing trauma she endured, stating that she still experiences nightmares related to Loveless’s actions. She recounted her feelings of shock, discomfort, and disgust at the time, but also shared her journey toward acceptance over the years. The victim explained that she confided in a friend, which unfortunately led to her being bullied at school and ultimately forced her to change schools. Despite the pain, she expressed a desire to move forward, acknowledging that the experience will likely stay with her for the rest of her life but emphasizing her resilience and strength.

Another victim also provided a personal statement, revealing her initial fears of not being believed and the emotional toll the assaults took on her. She described feelings of sadness, which affected her academic performance and caused her to withdraw from friends. She also shared that she continues to have dreams about Loveless and expressed anger that he did not admit to the offenses, which added to her distress.

Patrick Loveless, who resides on St David’s Crescent in Penarth, was convicted of three counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13 and one count of sexual assault of a girl over 13, relating to the two victims who are granted lifelong anonymity. The court heard that his actions have had a profound and lasting impact on the victims’ lives.

During the trial, Loveless’s defense lawyer, Andrew Davies, maintained his client’s innocence. He described Loveless as “well-loved” and suggested that he would be “much-missed” while serving his sentence. However, the judge, His Honour Judge Michael Fitton QC, was unequivocal in his remarks, stating that Loveless had “changed his victims’ lives forever.” The judge criticized Loveless’s attitude, noting that his act of shaking his head in court and at the jury was inappropriate and did nothing to mitigate his actions.

In sentencing, Loveless received a prison term of eight years and six months. He will be eligible for parole after serving part of his sentence, subject to the parole board’s decision. Additionally, he was placed under an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, emphasizing the seriousness of his offenses and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.