ROBERT CALDWELL SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR RAPE IN CAERPHILLY

In March 2012, Robert Caldwell, aged 25, was sentenced to ten years in prison after pleading guilty to raping a 14-year-old girl. A woman recounted how she scrubbed her skin raw to wash away the trauma of the attack, which happened several years earlier when Caldwell was a teenager.

The victim only came forward last year, sharing her ordeal publicly. The Crown Court heard that Caldwell, from Pen y Groes, Penyreheol, Caerphilly, was arrested the day she reported the crime and gave a 'no comment' interview to police.

He later admitted to the offence and was told he would be on the sex offenders register for life. Judge Rhys Rowlands emphasized the impact on the girl, stating, "She lost her virginity in the most horrific circumstances," adding that she had been completely innocent.

Defense lawyers explained Caldwell's difficult upbringing, which they claimed had "blurred his moral edges." However, Caldwell expressed remorse when confronted with the pain he caused, stating, "I can't believe what I did to her."

The court heard that the victim had previously tried to tell others about the assault when she was younger, but they were reluctant to believe her. Judge Rowlands responded, "What others chose to believe is a matter for them. He (Caldwell) is clear in his guilty pleas that he committed these offences against her."

Prosecutor Mike Hammett described the details of the attack, including Caldwell forcing the girl to perform a sex act on him after grabbing her by the hair. Despite her pleas and tears, Caldwell continued, telling her, "You will not get pregnant – no one will know."

The victim later reported showering and scrubbing herself until she was raw. In her impact statement, she said, "What he did to me is always on my mind. He took away any chance of me having a nice life."

Judge Rowlands condemned Caldwell's depraved actions, highlighting that he took advantage of a young girl. Although Caldwell expressed some remorse, the judge reminded him that she had to live with the trauma while he believed he had escaped justice for years.

Caldwell was also prohibited from working with children at any time in the future.