PHILIP PRYOR FROM BURRY PORT SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN CARMARTHENSHIRE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, Philip Pryor, a former soldier and long-standing band leader associated with the Army cadet unit, was convicted of serious sexual offenses involving a young teenage boy. The court proceedings revealed a pattern of grooming and abuse carried out by Pryor over a period of time, exploiting his position of authority and trust within the community.

According to the evidence presented at Swansea Crown Court, Pryor, who was 65 years old at the time of the crimes, used his influence over the cadets to manipulate and sexually assault a 14-year-old boy. The court heard that Pryor would often provide alcohol and cigarettes to the young cadet, creating an environment that was both enticing and coercive. This grooming process was designed to lower the boy’s defenses and make him more vulnerable to Pryor’s advances.

The abuse took place in various locations, including the kitchen of the band hut, where Pryor would turn the space into a makeshift sauna by boiling water and sealing the doors with towels, encouraging the boy to undress. Pryor also assaulted the victim in a shower, with the court describing multiple instances where Pryor indecently touched the boy. On at least three separate occasions, Pryor engaged in inappropriate sexual contact, further violating the trust placed in him as a community figure.

Throughout the trial, it was revealed that Pryor had warned the victim not to disclose what was happening, emphasizing the fear and manipulation involved in the abuse. The victim, who was a teenager at the time, kept his silence for several years, only deciding to come forward after seeing a television program in 2016 that highlighted similar cases of sexual abuse involving young boys. This program served as a catalyst, prompting the victim to confide in a friend, contact the NSPCC, and eventually report the abuse to the police.

The police investigation that followed uncovered disturbing evidence, including the seizure of Pryor’s computer, which was used in his role as a branch secretary for the British Legion. On this device, authorities found three indecent images of boys downloaded on August 31, 2015, along with internet searches for “schoolboy pornography.” These findings added a new dimension to Pryor’s criminal conduct, extending beyond the physical abuse to include possession and distribution of child exploitation material.

During the court proceedings, Pryor admitted to three counts of indecent assault on a male and one count of possession of indecent images. His actions were deemed highly inappropriate and damaging, leading to a significant sentence. Pryor was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. Additionally, he will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life and is subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community of Burry Port and beyond.