VICTOR PENALUNA FROM BLACKWOOD AND OAKDALE JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN OAKDALE

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Blackwood and Oakdale, Victor Penaluna, a 62-year-old resident of Markham Crescent in Oakdale, was sentenced to ten months in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage girl. The incident, which took place in September of the previous year, led to a conviction that has raised serious concerns about safety and trust within these communities.

According to court proceedings, the prosecution, led by Ieuan Rees, detailed how the young girl visited a house in Oakdale during that month. It was during this visit that Penaluna, who was present at the scene, made inappropriate comments about her clothing. As she passed by him, he unexpectedly grabbed her, pulled her onto his lap, and indecently touched her. The distressing event was later disclosed by the girl to her mother, prompting an immediate police investigation.

During the trial, Penaluna claimed that his behavior was benign and that he had only shown friendliness by giving the girl a kiss. His defense attorney, Claire Wilks, argued that Penaluna’s guilty plea should not be overly credited, emphasizing that the case was at the lower end of the severity spectrum for such offenses. Wilks pointed out that the act was not premeditated, and that Penaluna had maintained a good character prior to the incident. She also highlighted that Penaluna was the primary caregiver for his ailing mother, was at a low risk of re-offending, and had already suffered the loss of his employment due to the conviction.

Judge Christopher Llewellyn Jones, presiding over the case, acknowledged the absence of previous convictions but emphasized the impact of the crime on the victim. He noted that the girl appeared visibly distressed when giving her testimony, and that her emotional state was still fragile. The judge described the assault as persistent and noted the significant emotional toll it had taken on her. Given the seriousness of the offense, Judge Jones concluded that only immediate custody was appropriate, stating, “I am satisfied that this offence is so serious that only immediate custody can be passed.”

Following his release from prison, Penaluna was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was permanently barred from working with children. The case has left a lasting impression on the communities of Blackwood and Oakdale, highlighting the importance of vigilance and safeguarding in local neighborhoods.