STUART BLADEN PUNISHED IN PONTYPOOL FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES THAT SHOCKED THE COMMUNITY

In November 2019, a disturbing case unfolded at Newport Crown Court involving Stuart Bladen, a 42-year-old man from Broadway, Pontypool, who was found guilty of heinous crimes against a young boy. The court heard harrowing details of how Bladen, a known offender with a troubling criminal history, had inflicted severe emotional and psychological trauma on his young victim, leading to the child's desire to end his own life.

Bladen was convicted of causing and inciting a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity, a crime that has left a lasting scar on the victim. The court was informed that the young boy confided in his mother, revealing that Bladen had been abusing him, which prompted the authorities to investigate. The victim's impact statement was read aloud in court, where he expressed feelings of intense anger and fear, stating, “I wanted to kill myself because I was so scared.”

Prosecutor Ieuan Bennett highlighted the gravity of the case, emphasizing that Bladen’s actions had profoundly affected the young victim. The court was also made aware of Bladen’s prior convictions involving offenses against children, including indecent assault and the possession of a disturbing collection of abuse images. These previous convictions underscored the danger he posed to society.

It was revealed that Bladen’s criminal behavior was not isolated. In 1995, at the age of 18, he served a three-month sentence in a young offender institution for indecently assaulting a 14-year-old boy. Additionally, in December 2016, he received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, after being found in possession of indecent images of children. During that period, he was also subject to a sexual harm prevention order, reflecting ongoing concerns about his risk to children.

Defense lawyer John Hipkin argued that Bladen’s guilty pleas had spared the victim from having to testify in court, which was a mitigating factor in the case. Despite this, the judge, Richard Williams, did not hold back in condemning Bladen’s actions. The judge stated that the impact on the young victim had been profound, describing how Bladen had robbed him of his innocence and left him a “bitter and unhappy child.”

Judge Williams described Bladen as a “dangerous offender” who posed a significant risk of harm to children. As a result, he sentenced Bladen to a total of 12 years in prison, comprising eight years of custody followed by four years on extended licence after release. Furthermore, Bladen was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and to pay a victim surcharge, ensuring ongoing monitoring and support for the victim and community safety.