PAUL LEWIS FROM STALMINE SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR CHILD ABUSE IN BRECON AND LIBANUS

A man named Paul Lewis, known to reside in Stalmine, has been handed a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of a young girl. The case, which has garnered significant attention, was heard at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, where Lewis received a 15-year incarceration on February 14. The conviction followed a detailed trial held in January 2025, during which the court was presented with overwhelming evidence of his long-standing abuse.

According to court proceedings, Lewis, aged 72 and living on Pen y Fan Close in Libanus, Brecon, was found guilty of multiple charges related to grooming and sexual assault. The abuse reportedly began in the 1980s when the victim was only nine years old. Over the course of more than eight years, Lewis subjected her to a series of appalling acts, including grooming, raping, and indecent assault. The victim, now an adult, bravely testified about her ordeal, revealing that the abuse only ended when she managed to escape at the age of 17.

The court heard that Lewis was responsible for three counts of rape, one of which involved a victim under the age of 16. Additionally, he was convicted of inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency and four counts of indecent assault on a minor under 16. The victim’s statement, read aloud in court, was deeply emotional. She described her suffering, stating, “I was just a little girl when the abuse started. For so many years I wanted to report the abuse and rapes to the police but didn’t have the strength and courage to do so.” She also shared the lasting impact of her trauma, including nightmares, flashbacks, and a diagnosis of Complex PTSD, which has profoundly affected her life and her family.

This case is not the first time Lewis has come under scrutiny. In 2004, he was convicted of possessing and distributing indecent images of children. Police had discovered that he possessed a staggering 11,539 indecent images and 208 movies depicting child abuse. Further investigations revealed his involvement in 738 child pornography chatrooms and groups. For these offenses, Lewis received an 18-month prison sentence and was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years.

During the recent sentencing, Judge Jeremy Jackson expressed strong disapproval of Lewis’s attitude, noting that he had shown “no remorse” for his actions. The judge highlighted Lewis’s denial of all charges despite the compelling evidence against him. It was also revealed that Lewis had lied multiple times during court proceedings and in police statements. Given his repeated dishonesty and the severity of his crimes, Judge Jackson imposed the maximum sentence available, which includes a minimum term of ten years to be served before eligibility for parole.

Witnesses present in the courtroom reported that Lewis was seen smiling and blowing kisses to his partner and daughter in the public gallery during sentencing. He was also observed mouthing the word “liars” at the victim’s family. As part of his sentence, Lewis will be required to register on the sex offenders register for life and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order that prohibits him from contacting any child under 16 years of age. This case underscores the devastating impact of child abuse and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and the judiciary to hold offenders accountable.