SIMON MILLS FROM GODRE’RGRAIG SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IMAGES IN SWANSEA VALLEY

In a disturbing case that has shocked the Swansea Valley community, Simon Mills, a 53-year-old resident of Hodgson’s Road in Godre’rgraig, has been sentenced to prison for possessing a vast collection of indecent images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of young children. The investigation revealed that Mills had accumulated hundreds of such illicit materials, some of which featured children as young as two years old, highlighting the severity and depravity of his actions.

Authorities acted on intelligence suggesting that Mills was actively using his computer to access file-sharing sites and download illegal content. A police raid was conducted at his residence in October of the previous year, during which officers seized a computer and multiple DVDs. An in-depth analysis of these items uncovered a horrifying cache of images and videos. The digital evidence included 222 Category A images, classified as the most extreme and disturbing, along with 107 Category B images and 517 Category C images. Additionally, investigators found more than 200 video clips and movie segments, all depicting children aged between two and six being subjected to sexual abuse.

Further examination of Mills’ computer revealed that he had actively searched the internet for such exploitative images. The device was equipped with peer-to-peer file-sharing software, which facilitated the exchange of illicit files with other users, indicating a deliberate effort to access and distribute this material. The police’s findings confirmed that Mills was not merely a consumer but also engaged in the sharing of these disturbing images.

During court proceedings, the prosecution, led by Dean Pulling, outlined the extent of Mills’ offending. A probation report linked his actions directly to a “deviant sexual attraction to children,” emphasizing the high risk he posed to the safety of young girls. The report concluded that Mills presented a significant danger of reoffending, particularly as a means of satisfying his deviant urges.

Representing Mills, lawyer John Hipkin acknowledged his client’s awareness of the need for professional help and treatment. Ultimately, Recorder Richard Booth QC sentenced Mills to a total of two and a half years in prison. The court also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which restricts Mills’ internet access and bans him from having unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18. Furthermore, Mills will remain on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community from further harm.