RAYMOND MINTY FROM TONYREFAIL SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN MERTHYR TYDFIL AND APPEALS REJECTED BY HIGH COURT

In November 2012, Raymond Minty, a 52-year-old man from Tonyrefail, faced a significant legal battle following his conviction for serious sexual offences involving a young girl. Minty was sentenced to four years in prison at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court after he admitted to causing a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity in June of that year.

Top judges in London’s Appeal Court, including Mr Justice Foskett, Mr Justice McCombe, and Mr Justice Eder, reviewed Minty’s case and the conditions of his sentencing. The court heard that Minty had manipulated the young girl into performing a degrading sexual act and had attempted to persuade her to remain silent about the incident. The victim, who was under 13, confided in her school friends, which eventually led to the case coming to light.

When confronted, Minty, who resides on Heol Tyllwyd in Tonyrefail, admitted to the authorities that he recognized he needed help. His admission came amid the investigation into his actions, which had caused significant distress to the young victim.

Following his conviction, Minty was subjected to an indefinite sexual offences prevention order (SOPO). This order was designed to impose strict restrictions on his contact with female minors, aiming to prevent any future offences. However, the order included a particularly contentious clause that prohibited him from having any physical contact with females under 18, which his legal team challenged as being overly restrictive and impractical.

Lawyers argued that such a restriction would mean Minty would have to avoid even simple interactions, such as walking past a 16-year-old shop assistant who might pass him change during a transaction. The court, led by Mr Justice Foskett, found this part of the SOPO to be unjustified. As a result, the judge replaced it with a more reasonable restriction, barring Minty from having unsupervised contact with any female under 16, except for incidental or inadvertent contact during everyday activities.

Despite these restrictions, Minty remains under orders that prohibit him from working with children, reflecting ongoing concerns about his potential risk to minors. The court’s decision underscores the importance of balancing public safety with practical enforcement of restrictions.

Earlier in July 2012, Minty had already been jailed for similar offences involving a young child. During his arrest, he shockingly admitted to police that he was a “dirty *******,” acknowledging his misconduct. The case was brought to light after the victim confided in her friends, who then persuaded her to tell her mother. Prosecutor Sian Phillips detailed that Minty had instructed the girl not to disclose what had happened.

When confronted by the girl’s mother, Minty did not deny his actions. Instead, he openly admitted his guilt and stated that he needed help. His self-deprecating remark and admission led to his immediate arrest. During the court proceedings, his defense lawyer, Jennet Treharne, expressed that Minty was relieved to have the opportunity to address the issues that had led to his offending behavior.

Judge Richard Twomlow sentenced Minty to four years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to sign the sex offender register for life, disqualified from working with children, and placed under a lifelong sexual offences prevention order. This order restricts his contact with females under 18 and limits his use of internet devices, aiming to prevent any future offences and protect potential victims.