ROGER VERNON POPP FROM BARRY AND CARDIFF SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a case that has shocked the communities of Barry and Cardiff, a 50-year-old man named Roger Vernon Popp was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of serious sexual offences involving a minor. The court heard that Popp, who was living in a hotel in Cardiff at the time of his arrest, had engaged in a disturbing pattern of grooming and sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl from Wrexham.

According to court records, Popp had initially come under police scrutiny after the Vale of Glamorgan Council discovered that his work computer, used in his role as a health and safety adviser, was infected with malicious software. An investigation revealed that he had stored 11 pornographic images of children on his computer, which led to his resignation from the council in April of the previous year. The discovery of these images marked the beginning of a series of troubling events that would eventually lead to his arrest.

Further inquiries uncovered that Popp had been in contact with the young girl through an internet speed-dating service accessed via his mobile phone. Over the course of eight weeks, he bombarded her with more than 1,100 phone calls and text messages, demonstrating an obsessive pattern of communication. The court was told that Popp traveled to Wrexham on multiple occasions to meet with the girl, whom he claimed to have fallen in love with. Their meetings culminated in sexual encounters, including one in his car, which was confirmed by the girl’s school friend who reported the situation to an educational social worker.

Authorities acted swiftly once they were tipped off. Police managed to prevent a planned meeting at a cinema in Chester, but by then, Popp had already made five trips to see the girl and had engaged in sexual activity with her. The case was further complicated by Popp’s initial denial of any inappropriate relationship, claiming that their interactions were purely platonic. However, evidence and testimonies proved otherwise.

At the time of his arrest, Popp was living in Cardiff and was known to have a significant debt of £60,000. His actions drew widespread condemnation, with the judge describing him as “every parent’s nightmare.” During the sentencing, Judge Stephen Clarke emphasized the importance of protecting children, stating, “You are unable to come to terms with the fact that you are behaving like a paedophile. Children are still children at 14, and the law is there to safeguard them.”

In addition to the four-year prison term, Popp’s license was extended by two years upon release to ensure ongoing public safety. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subject to a sexual prevention order that restricted his contact with minors, prohibited him from using cyber cafes, and banned him from downloading any indecent material. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online grooming and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable young people from exploitation.