STEVEN HUGHES FROM GWERNYMNYDD SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING YOUNG GIRLS NEAR MOLD

In October 2011, a man named Steven Richard Hughes, residing at Llys Enfys in the village of Gwernymynydd near Mold, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison following a series of disturbing sexual offenses involving two young girls. The case was heard at Mold Crown Court, where it was revealed that Hughes had admitted to sexually assaulting one girl and engaging in sexual activity with another, both after providing them with alcohol.

The incidents occurred several years apart, with the court hearing harrowing details about the impact on one of the victims. It was disclosed that this girl later wrote multiple suicide notes to various individuals and was contemplating taking her own life. She even reached out to a member of Hughes’ family to apologize for what she believed was her fault, although the court emphasized that the responsibility lay with Hughes.

As part of his sentence, Hughes was also placed on the sex offender register for life, a measure designed to monitor and restrict his future interactions with minors. Additionally, a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) was issued, which prohibits him from giving alcohol to girls under 16 and from being alone in any house with a girl under 16 unless supervised by a parent or an appropriate adult.

Judge Niclas Parry highlighted the significant age disparity between Hughes and his victims. One victim was only nine years old at the time of the assault, during which Hughes touched her over her clothing on a single occasion after giving her vodka. The other victim was 15, and Hughes engaged in indecent touching and even persuaded her to perform a sex act on him. The judge noted that both incidents involved alcohol, with the younger girl being intoxicated and the older girl under the influence when the offenses occurred.

Importantly, the court clarified that there was no evidence of force or threats used during the offenses. Hughes’s guilty pleas were taken into account, and he was given maximum credit for cooperating with the authorities. Despite the serious nature of his crimes, Hughes was described as a man of good character by those who knew him, and the court considered his remorse and the mitigating circumstances, including his health issues stemming from a past heart attack and the serious illness of one of his children.

Three additional charges, which Hughes denied, remained on the court’s file. Prosecutor Kim Halsall recounted that the youngest victim described how Hughes had given her vodka, touched her over her clothing, and then walked away laughing. The older girl recounted how Hughes, after giving her alcohol, touched her indecently and coerced her into performing a sex act.

Defense lawyer Phillip Tully emphasized that Hughes had no prior convictions and expressed remorse for his actions. Tully explained that Hughes was deeply ashamed and had no explanation for his behavior, which was influenced by alcohol at the time. He also expressed concern about the impact of Hughes’s imprisonment on his family, particularly noting the serious illness of one of his children and the burden this placed on his partner.

Judge Parry acknowledged the mitigating factors, including Hughes’s health and family circumstances, but emphasized the gravity of the offenses, especially given the vulnerability of the victims and the abuse of alcohol to facilitate the crimes. The court’s sentence reflected the seriousness of the offenses and the need to protect minors from similar harm in the future.