SHAUN GALLAGHER SHOCKS CARDIFF WITH HORRIFIC SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

A 57-year-old man named Shaun Gallagher has been found guilty of a disturbing and heinous sexual assault involving a young girl in Cardiff. The incident, which took place in a private setting, involved Gallagher assaulting a 13-year-old girl while he believed she was asleep. However, the court was informed that the girl was actually awake and had witnessed the entire ordeal, a fact that added a chilling layer to the case.

During the assault, Gallagher engaged in acts of masturbation, which culminated in ejaculation. Disturbingly, some of his semen landed on the girl’s shoulder, further emphasizing the severity and depravity of the crime. The victim, in her victim personal statement read aloud in court, described feeling 'frozen by fear' during the assault. She recounted how the traumatic experience caused her to 'lose her sense of innocence' and left her haunted by nightmares featuring dark shadows. The girl also expressed feelings of shame and described how she was made to believe she had done something wrong, a manipulation that compounded her trauma.

In her statement, she conveyed a profound sense of loss—losing her innocence and her sense of safety. She also shared that the experience left her feeling ashamed and confused, highlighting the long-lasting emotional scars inflicted by Gallagher’s actions.

Shaun Gallagher, whose address is listed as Dalmuir Road, Splott, Cardiff, has a criminal history that includes six previous convictions. Notably, he was convicted of rape in 2017, for which he served a six-month prison sentence. Despite his claims of having reformed and becoming a different person, the court was not convinced that he had changed enough to avoid a significant sentence.

In sentencing, the judge ordered Gallagher to serve six months in prison. Additionally, he was subjected to sex offender notification requirements that will remain in effect indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions. The judge emphasized that although Gallagher had fulfilled all probation requirements in the past, his latest offense warranted a custodial sentence to protect the community and uphold justice.