STEPHEN SMITH SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON FOR HISTORIC CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN CARMARTHEN AND NAILSWORTH

In July 2014, Stephen Smith, a 61-year-old man formerly residing in Nailsworth and now living at Ty Mawr, Llanbydder, near Carmarthen, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of historic sexual offenses against children.

Smith was convicted at Gloucester Crown Court of repeatedly raping and sexually abusing two young girls and indecently assaulting an 11-year-old boy. He had assaulted one girl over a period of six years, from 1976 to 1982, beginning when both victims were just six years old. During the same timeframe, he indecently assaulted the young boy, and later, between 1992 and 1996, he committed similar offenses against another girl.

The two female victims were six when the abuse started, with incidents occurring both in Nailsworth and in Wales. Prosecutor Paul Cook highlighted the cruelty of Smith’s actions, stating, “The defendant was mentally cruel, physically and sexually abusive to these children and they had complained to the police in the past, but withdrew their complaints.”

The court heard that Smith raped one of the girls in various locations, including a shed, a garage, and the back seat of his car. Cook added, “He made her put on an adult woman’s pair of knickers and touch him sexually before he raped her. He would use condoms.” The boy was reportedly assaulted in a caravan and was made to stand still for hours with heavy books on his head until he shook.

During the trial, Smith denied any abuse, claiming the allegations were attempts by the children to obtain money. However, the jury convicted him on five charges of rape and indecent assault of the girls and indecent assault of the boy, though he was cleared of cruelty to the boy.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC described the impact on the victims, stating, “They have written victim impact statements without self-pity but with an understandable sense of anger and bitterness at the way you have behaved.” The judge emphasized that these offenses have a lasting psychological effect, noting, “Their psyches are invariably damaged as a result.”

The judge sentenced Smith to nine years for each girl’s case and two years for the indecent assault of the boy, with the sentences to run consecutively, totaling 30 years. However, considering legal principles of totality, he ultimately imposed a combined sentence of 20 years. Smith will also be subject to lifetime licence conditions and must register as a sex offender for life.

Upon his release, Smith will be under a lifelong licence controlling his behavior. The court's decision reflects the severity and enduring harm caused by Smith’s actions, with the judge remarking, “This was a campaign of rape.”