RICHARD MOUNTSTEPHENS AND KELLY THOMAS SENTENCED FOR CHILD PROSTITUTION IN MYNACHDY AND TROWBRIDGE

In February 2023, a disturbing case involving the exploitation of a vulnerable teenage girl has come to light, revealing the heinous actions of a couple from Cardiff, specifically linked to the areas of Mynachdy and Trowbridge. The individuals involved, Richard Mountstephens, aged 34, and Kelly Thomas, aged 32, were found guilty of a series of grave offenses related to child sexual exploitation and abuse.

According to court reports, the couple systematically groomed their young victim, a girl who was still a minor at the time. Their abuse began on her birthday when they took her to the Celtic Manor, a well-known location in the region, and falsely promised her a better life through prostitution. This initial act marked the start of a three-week period during which the victim was subjected to repeated sexual abuse and exploitation.

Mountstephens and Thomas engaged in sexual activities with the girl, taking explicit photographs of her which they later uploaded to a website that advertised sexual services for monetary gain. The court was told that the victim was coerced into having sex with multiple men, with her abusers controlling her through the administration of prescription drugs and alcohol, further manipulating her into compliance.

During the course of the abuse, the couple also engaged in sexual acts with each other, and Thomas was involved in sexual activities with men for money, all while the victim was forced to endure degrading acts. The defendants' control over her was so intense that even after she confided in her family, they initially dismissed her claims, refusing to believe her account of the abuse.

In an attempt to cover their tracks, Mountstephens tried to alter the upload dates of the indecent images to conceal his involvement. Both individuals were subsequently arrested and denied the charges, leading to a trial that revealed the full extent of their criminal conduct.

Mountstephens, who resides at Rhodfa Crughywel in Trowbridge, and Thomas, from Mynachdy Road in Mynachdy, were convicted of controlling a child for sexual exploitation. Mountstephens faced additional convictions for possessing indecent images of a child on three counts and for attempting to pervert the course of justice.

During the trial, the victim delivered a heartfelt personal statement, describing her experience of grooming and manipulation. She expressed her initial confusion and feelings of flattery, which masked the reality of her exploitation. She recounted her self-blame, her struggles with low self-esteem, and her destructive behaviors, including substance abuse and self-harm, which she resorted to in an attempt to numb her pain.

The victim also shared her ongoing trauma, including vivid nightmares and flashbacks, which severely impacted her mental health. She revealed that she had attempted to end her life three times during the first year of her recovery. Despite her suffering, she expressed hope for healing and a desire to help others who have experienced similar exploitation, sharing a poem she wrote about her trauma.

Judge David Wynn Morgan sentenced Mountstephens to a total of eight years in prison, while Kelly Thomas received a sentence of six and a half years. The courtroom was filled with hostile shouts from the public as the defendants were led away, reflecting the community’s outrage over their crimes. The judge condemned their actions as degenerate and driven by a lack of morality, emphasizing that their sexual activities were motivated by financial gain and perverted gratification.

Mountstephens was observed smirking during the reading of the victim’s personal statement, a detail that drew further criticism. The court’s verdict highlighted the severity of the offenses and the profound impact on the victim’s life, underscoring the importance of justice for victims of such heinous crimes.