SIMON ASHMAN FROM TONYREFAIL SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN MERTHYR TYDFIL

In a case that has shocked the community of Tonyrefail and the surrounding areas, Simon Julian Ashman, aged 43, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of eight years after being found guilty of a series of heinous sexual and violent offences committed against young children, some as young as five years old. The sentencing took place at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, where Judge Richard Twomlow delivered a stern verdict, emphasizing the severity of Ashman’s actions and the danger he poses to the public.

Judge Twomlow described Ashman as a “manipulative and risk-taking” individual, highlighting that the defendant had shown no remorse throughout the proceedings. The judge expressed concern that Ashman’s conduct demonstrated a pattern of manipulative behavior culminating in the abuse of vulnerable children. He stated, “You have shown no remorse whatsoever. I am satisfied that you present a significant risk of serious harm to members of the public by the commission of further specified offences.”

During the trial, Ashman, who resides at Marshfield Court in Tonyrefail, denied involvement in 19 separate sexual and violent offences spanning over an 11-year period. However, over the course of an 18-day trial, he admitted to one assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) and was convicted of multiple other serious charges, including sexual assault of a child under 13, indecency with a child, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, and two counts of ABH involving four different victims. Despite these admissions, he was acquitted of 13 other counts, which included allegations of rape, sexual assault, and indecency with a child.

Among the most disturbing aspects of the case was Ashman’s assault on a five-year-old girl, who was the victim of two counts of sexual activity with a child under 13. The court heard that during the abuse, Ashman told the young girl that it was their secret, a statement that deeply affected her and her family. The girl’s mother provided a witness impact statement, describing how her daughter, once a bright and outgoing child, had become reserved, anxious, and distrustful of adults. The mother expressed heartbreak over her daughter’s changed demeanor, noting that she had become very clingy, unsettled, and had experienced nightmares and night sweats. The impact on the young girl was profound, with her blaming herself for the abuse.

Other victims also shared their emotional scars, revealing feelings of dirtiness and shame caused by Ashman’s actions. Many expressed fears about men and the lasting effects of the abuse on their trust and well-being. The jury, upon delivering their verdicts, was visibly emotional, with some members wiping away tears as they learned of Ashman’s extensive criminal history, which includes 17 court appearances and 44 previous convictions for violence, burglary, and possession of offensive weapons.

In addition to his prison sentence, Ashman was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and was prohibited from working with children. He was also subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, restricting his contact with females under 16. Furthermore, he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £120. The court mandated that Ashman serve at least two-thirds of his custodial sentence before being eligible for release on license, with an additional four-year extended sentence to follow upon release, ensuring he remains under supervision for an extended period.