A “monster” who sexually abused two young girls caused one of his victims to attempt to take her own life. His second victim was told she had “dreamt” about the abuse and it did not happen.
Sion Thomas, 43, of Bangor, initially denied the incidents, which involved him exposing his penis, simulating sex, and penetrating the vagina of his second victim with his fingers. Both of the girls said they came forward to protect children from the defendant whom they described as a “monster” and a “predator”.
A sentencing hearing at Caernarfon Crown Court heard abused the first victim during the 1990s by kissing her on her vagina. He told her not to tell anyone about the assault but after she later disclosed what had happened the victim was not believed and was told she had “dreamt” the incident.
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Prosecutor Simon Rogers said a report was made to the police at the time and the victim was interviewed but the matter was not proceeded with due to a lack of evidence. The footage of the interview was deleted but the victim gave her account again to police after the second victim reported the abuse she suffered to the police in 2021.
Thomas first began abusing the second victim after he told her he would teach her about oral sex and exposed his penis to her. The girl told him she didn’t want to do anything and the defendant apologised. He later assaulted her by touching her breasts, licking her vagina, and penetrating her vagina with his fingers.
The girl would also receive messages from the defendant who asked her: “Do you want to do that again? Are you being naughty?” She told Thomas she didn’t want to do it again and he told her to delete the messages.
He also exposed his penis and forced her to simulate sexual intercourse with her by getting her to sit on top of him while she was naked from the waist down, and he was wearing underwear, as he moved her backwards and forwards and kissed her on the mouth. Mr Rogers said: “On each occasion she was uncomfortable and wanted it to stop. She would cry and feel disgusting.”
The abuse ended when the victim told him to stop, but Thomas told her not to tell anyone. He later messaged her when drunk and said: “Remember what we used to do – do you want to do that again?” She made it clear that she did not and she later contacted the police.
Thomas, of Orme Road, was arrested in 2021 and initially denied the offences, claiming he was “shocked, disappointed, and gutted” by the allegations. He later pleaded guilty to indecent assault, assaulting a child under 13 by penetration, causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13. The court heard the defendant had two convictions for distribution of indecent images of children and breach of a sexual harm prevention order.
In a victim personal statement read to the court the first victim said: “I was a little girl subjected to such a horrendous act… This made me spiral as a teenager, knowing something did happen and it wasn’t okay. I was drinking and bothering with people I shouldn’t have been and putting myself in dangerous situations to disassociate with my life. I realised this wasn’t the right path and realised I needed to work hard and get away and build a life and career for myself….
“I was forced to come to terms that what happened to me was not normal or acceptable and I should have been listened to at the time. As much as I like to think I am strong and don’t need any help I know this is not the case. My mental health suffered and I had to take time off work as I couldn’t face it. My inability to express my feelings in effect pushes those that are close to me away…. I wanted to stop this monster putting his hands on other children and to give others strength to stand up and speak…. I am standing strong to make sure [Thomas] gets what [he] deserves.”
In her victim personal statement the second victim said: “This situation has made me feel worthless and paranoid… Sometimes I feel so dirty and disgusted by what you did to me. I shower and bath myself more than twice a day to get your touch off me. I don’t want to admit you have ruined my life but you have.”
She added: ” I was an innocent child… and you took advantage. How could you be so evil? You made me keep this secret and drove me to overdose on pills as I couldn’t live with it… I am a kind, caring, and loving person and I want to protect children from predators like you….. I want you to know I am a survivor, not a victim. I want you to know what you have done will not shape my life or determine my future.”
In mitigation defence barrister Richard Edwards said his client was drinking heavily at the time of the offences to the point he was blacking out. He highlighted the defendant’s guilty pleas which he said shows his remorse.
Sentencing Judge Nicola Saffman described Thomas’ offences as “a campaign of sexual abuse”. She added: “[The victims] are to be commended for coming forward and in doing so protecting other children from you in future.”
Thomas was sentenced to a total of 14 years and four months imprisonment with an extended licence period of two years. He will serve two-thirds of the custodial period before he is considered for parole. The defendant was also made subject to a restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely.
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