STEVE WILLIAMS FROM MILFORD HAVEN SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS FOR HORRIFIC SEX OFFENCES IN CARDIFF

In a case that has shocked the community of Milford Haven and the wider Cardiff area, Steven Williams, a 45-year-old man from Milford Haven, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 17 years for a series of heinous sexual offences. The conviction followed a detailed trial at Cardiff Crown Court, where Williams was found guilty on multiple counts of serious crimes involving minors.

Williams, who resided on Marble Hall Road in Milford Haven, was accused of committing 16 counts of rape, along with four counts of indecency with a child and four counts of indecent assault. The offences spanned several years, during which the victim, a young girl, endured unimaginable abuse. Despite the gravity of the charges, Williams maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, denying all allegations brought against him.

The court heard that the offences took place over an extended period, with jurors being shown footage of interviews with the victim. In these recordings, the girl recounted that her first experience of rape occurred when she was still a child. She also revealed that Williams had told her she would not be believed if she ever told anyone about what was happening to her. Such manipulative tactics were used to silence and control her, according to the evidence presented.

Prosecutor Jennet Treharne highlighted that Williams had a prior history of concerning behaviour. At the age of 13, he was subjected to a two-year supervision order after inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency. Additionally, in 2006, he received a caution for battery, indicating a pattern of troubling conduct.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Neil Bidder QC expressed his grave concerns about Williams' dangerousness. He stated that Williams posed a high risk of causing serious harm to children and ordered that he be imprisoned for the protection of the public. The judge specified that Williams must serve a minimum of eight and a half years before he could be considered for parole, emphasizing the severity of his crimes.

Williams' defense, led by Mary Parry-Evans, argued that he struggled with life's complexities and needed proper help to address his issues. She requested that the court not impose an indeterminate sentence, asserting that Williams would continue to deny the offences, which could delay his potential release. However, Judge Bidder QC was unpersuaded, describing Williams as “determined, dishonest and cunning.”

In his remarks, the judge condemned Williams' actions, stating that the damage inflicted on the victim was “unfathomable.” He pointed out that the victim’s life had been profoundly affected, citing her poor school attendance, substance abuse, and self-harm as direct consequences of the abuse she suffered. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness with which such crimes are viewed and the need to protect vulnerable individuals from predators like Williams.