SALTNEY MAN JAILED FOR SEVERE CHILD SEX OFFENCES

A dangerous offender has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after committing a series of sexual crimes against young children. Reuben Swansborough, a 38-year-old from Garden Village in Saltney, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentencing after previously admitting to multiple serious child sex offences. His crimes included raping a child under 13, sexual assault of a child under 13 five times, assaulting a child under 13 by penetration four times, inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity twice, causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in a sexual act twice, voyeurism five times, taking indecent images of children three times at categories A, B, and C, making indecent images of children three times at categories A, B, and C, and possessing extreme pornographic images. The prosecuting attorney reported that most of these offences, including rape, sexual assault, and assault by penetration, were committed against a young girl. When initial allegations came to light, Swansborough denied any sexual contact with the girl. Police seized his phone and discovered an archive of videos documenting his abuse, including footage and photos of the girl and recordings of other children, some at playgrounds. A subsequent search of his home uncovered a laptop and hard drive containing videos of another child and thousands of other indecent images and videos, depicting children aged from six months to 13 years in categories A, B, and C. In total, 257,000 images were found, along with internet searches consistent with seeking very young children for abuse. The court heard that Swansborough's actions had a devastating impact on the victims' families. His defence highlighted his lack of previous convictions and admitted guilt, with the hope that he will undertake courses to reduce his risk of reoffending. However, the judge described Swansborough as 'utterly depraved,' emphasizing his lack of insight and entrenched distorted sexual views. Swansborough was sentenced to 46 months for voyeurism and indecent image offences, to be served before commencing an extended 20-year sentence (15 years custodial plus 5 years license) for the remaining offences, with no automatic release after two-thirds of that period. He will register as a sex offender, be subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, and a 10-year restraining order was imposed to protect the victim and her family.