WILLIAM BRYANT FROM LLANDYSUL SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON GIRL IN PONTWELLY AND PENCADER ROAD

In a case that has shocked the local community of Llandysul and surrounding areas, William Bryant, a man aged 82, was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl. The incident took place more than three decades ago, but the victim only came forward as an adult, revealing the traumatic experience that had haunted her for years.

According to court proceedings held at Swansea Crown Court, Bryant was in the same vehicle as the young girl and her mother at the time of the assault. Unbeknownst to the mother, Bryant had committed the heinous act during the journey, and she remained unaware of the abuse until many years later when the victim confided in her. The court heard that the girl, who was just eight years old at the time, did not disclose the abuse until she reached adulthood, suffering from psychological difficulties that prompted her to finally reveal the truth.

William Bryant, originally born in Pencader, had left the area to live in Hull but returned to the region in the 1970s to take over the family’s blacksmith business. He later retired to Llandysul, where he became a familiar figure in the community. Despite his local roots, the court found it necessary to impose a significant sentence given the gravity of the offense.

During the trial, Bryant denied the allegations, but the jury convicted him after careful deliberation. His defense lawyer, Frank Phillips, emphasized that Bryant’s actions had caused profound damage not only to the victim but also to his own family and the wider community. Phillips urged the court to consider a more lenient sentence, such as a suspended term or a community order, citing Bryant’s age and the fact that he had no prior convictions. He argued that Bryant would find incarceration particularly difficult to endure.

However, Judge Christopher Vosper made it clear that the law mandated a strict response. He pointed out that at the time the offense was committed, the maximum penalty was five years, but the current sentencing guidelines allow for up to 15 years. Given the seriousness of the crime, the judge stated that an immediate custodial sentence was unavoidable. While acknowledging Bryant’s good character and the fact that he had not offended again, Judge Vosper emphasized that the severity of the offense warranted a prison term.

In addition to the four-year jail sentence, Bryant was ordered to register as a sex offender with the police indefinitely and was prohibited from working with children in any capacity. The court’s decision underscores the ongoing commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring that offenders are held accountable for their actions, regardless of the passage of time.