THOMAS JENKINS SHOCKS REDDITCH AND POWYS WITH SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL INVOLVING YOUNG GIRL
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Redditch and the Powys countryside, Thomas Jenkins, a 74-year-old former Jehovah’s Witness elder, has been convicted of subjecting a young girl to years of sexual abuse during the 1970s.The court proceedings revealed a pattern of predatory behavior that began when the girl was just 12 years old and persisted until she was 14, despite her attempts to avoid him as she grew older.
Jenkins, who resided on Landor Road in Redditch, Worcester, vehemently denied the allegations, claiming he had no memory of the incidents and dismissing the victim’s account as fabricated.
During the trial at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, the jury deliberated for only an hour before returning a guilty verdict on all six counts of indecent assault.
Jenkins had initially faced 20 charges, but these were reduced on the third day of the trial.
The court heard that Jenkins would take the girl and her brother on religious missions, often traveling to rural properties in the Powys region for door-to-door preaching.
It was during these outings that Jenkins would exploit the situation to carry out his abuse.
After parking at the end of a lane or driveway, Jenkins would send the girl’s brother to preach the faith, while Jenkins would take advantage of the girl, forcing his hands up her skirt in a manner that exploited her vulnerability and the religious restrictions on women wearing trousers.
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, recounted that Jenkins also attempted to assault her in other settings, including at Brecon swimming pool during group outings.
She described how Jenkins would try to get his fingers inside her clothing while they were in the water, further illustrating the extent of his predatory behavior.
The woman, now in her 50s, provided emotional testimony about the lasting impact of Jenkins’ actions, highlighting her ongoing struggles with social anxiety and her fear of public swimming pools.
She explained that her experiences have left her with a deep sense of mistrust and emotional scars that continue to affect her daily life.
Judge Daniel Williams, presiding over the case, condemned Jenkins’ arrogance and the courage of his victim.
In his sentencing remarks, the judge emphasized the stark contrast between Jenkins’ dismissive attitude and the bravery shown by the woman in giving evidence.
He described Jenkins’ attempts to be alone with the girl in the car and his predatory behavior at public swimming pools as calculated and manipulative.
The judge stated, “You would contrive events as to be alone with [the girl].
On other occasions members of the congregation would go swimming in the public baths in Brecon.
There you made a beeline for [the girl].
It would of course seem to others that you would be innocently playing with [her].” He further noted that the girl continues to live with the consequences of Jenkins’ actions every day, and her bravery in court was a stark contrast to his “breathtaking arrogance.” The court also heard a personal impact statement from the woman, who described how Jenkins’ abuse has left her with a persistent fear of social events and public pools.
She expressed her frustration at the lack of protection offered by the religious organization, criticizing Jehovah’s Witness elders and the governing body for their failure to report abuse to authorities, opting instead to handle such matters internally.
She said, “There is no safeguarding.
They do not report it to the authorities because they want to deal with it in house.” Jenkins’ past criminal record was also discussed during the trial.
He had previously been convicted in 1990 at Worcester Crown Court for a series of sex offenses involving three girls.
During that hearing, Jenkins claimed he had experienced a nervous breakdown and was unaware of his actions at the time, asserting, “I had a nervous breakdown.
I was not aware of what I was doing.
I knew what I was doing was wrong but I had no control over it.” At the conclusion of the trial, Judge Williams sentenced Jenkins to five years in prison.
Additionally, Jenkins will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.
