THOMAS NAYLOR GROOMED AND SEXUALLY ABUSED TEEN IN LLANELLI

In June 2018, a disturbing case unfolded involving Thomas Naylor, a man from Llanelli, who engaged in a prolonged and manipulative relationship with a vulnerable teenage girl. Despite being explicitly warned by police to stay away from the girl, Naylor continued to pursue and exploit her, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the legal restrictions placed upon him.

Thomas Luke Naylor, aged 26 at the time, initially befriended the troubled girl, who was in care and lacked strong family support. Over time, he groomed her into a sexual relationship, providing her with alcohol, cigarettes, and various gifts such as clothes and jewelry. The court heard that Naylor’s actions were not impulsive but calculated, as he maintained this inappropriate relationship even after being served with a child abduction warning notice, a formal police directive forbidding him from having contact with the girl.

Despite the official warning, Naylor persisted in his relationship with the girl for an additional four months. The court was informed that the girl, who was struggling with substance abuse and often staying out late, viewed Naylor as a 'brotherly figure' initially. However, the relationship eventually turned sexual, with Naylor exploiting her vulnerability.

Alarm bells were raised when concerns about Naylor’s conduct surfaced, leading to his arrest after the girl confided in someone about the abuse she was suffering. During the proceedings, a victim impact statement was read out, revealing that the girl did not genuinely want to engage in sexual activity with Naylor. She expressed that his presence made her feel cared for and boosted her self-esteem, which highlights the manipulative nature of his grooming.

Thomas Naylor, who resides on Inkerman Street in Llanelli, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child. The court acknowledged that his victim was now attempting to rebuild her life, attending college and seeking stability.

Judge Paul Thomas QC condemned Naylor’s actions, describing his conduct as a “prolonged, calculated course of conduct” aimed at grooming and exploiting a vulnerable young girl. While the judge expressed some sympathy for Naylor’s difficult upbringing, he emphasized that Naylor’s actions had irreparably damaged the girl’s childhood and well-being.

As a result, Naylor was sentenced to five years and three months in prison. Additionally, he was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his contact with minors, and he will be registered as a sex offender for the remainder of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect others from similar harm.