PAUL DYER FROM CROSS KEYS SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE

In a case that has deeply shocked the community of Cross Keys near Newport, a man named Paul Dyer has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of multiple serious sexual offenses against a young girl. The victim, Toni Finn, now 22 years old, publicly welcomed the lengthy jail term, which finally brought justice after more than 15 years of suffering.

Ms Finn revealed that her ordeal began when she was just five years old, and it continued until she was 14. She explained that it took her over a decade to gather the strength to report Dyer to the authorities. Her courage in coming forward has been praised by many, and she has used her experience to encourage other victims of sexual abuse to seek help and justice.

The court heard that Dyer, aged 42 at the time of sentencing, had moved into the family home in Cross Keys after marrying Ms Finn’s mother. It was during this period that the abuse started. Ms Finn recounted that Dyer first assaulted her after showing her a pornographic film, an act that marked the beginning of a series of traumatic incidents. For years, she believed Dyer was her biological father until she was 12, unaware of the true nature of his relationship with her.

Her suffering continued until she confided in her mother in 2006, which led to Dyer’s arrest and subsequent trial. The legal proceedings were complex; in the initial trial, Ms Finn provided her testimony via video link, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict. It was only in the second trial that she appeared in court in person to give her evidence, which ultimately resulted in Dyer’s conviction.

Judge David Morris described Dyer’s actions as “perverted” and emphasized the betrayal of trust involved. He stated, “You married her mother and accepted her as if she was a child of your own. Paul Dyer was jailed for 12 years following a trial. You were in a position of trust towards her and you broke that trust in the worst way possible.”

During the sentencing, Dyer’s barrister, Michael Mather-Lees, expressed remorse, stating that his client “feels deep shame and he feels sick at what he did.” However, Ms Finn, who chose to waive her anonymity as a sexual assault victim after the trial, expressed her relief and hope that her case would prevent further abuse within her family.

She shared her feelings about the long road to justice, saying, “I know some people who are abused feel they are at fault but they aren’t and they have nothing to be ashamed of. I’m glad because while he’s in prison he won’t be able to do this to anybody else. I feel so much better after I’ve spoken about it because I know I’ve saved my daughter and I’ve saved my nieces.”

Ms Finn also urged other victims to speak out, recounting her own fears and struggles. “At the time I felt very unsafe. I hated being alone with him, I hated going to bed because that was the time usually he would do stuff to me. I used to feel sick — a feeling you can’t describe because you are so scared of your own dad when he should be protecting you. It took a long time for me to tell anyone. I did not think anyone would believe me because he always said they wouldn’t. I would tell people in my position to never be scared to speak out. Never give up and keep fighting. It’s been tough but I am a stronger person now. I have not let it ruin my life.”