December 2004
Man jailed after sex offences
A CHEPSTOW man has been jailed for three years for a series of sex offences on two girls.
Richard James, 40, of Buttington Road, Sedbury, was found guilty of seven charges of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child. He denied the charges. The jury at Cardiff Crown Court heard that James abused two girls in Newport.
James’ counsel Andrew Taylor said: “He is fully aware of the kind of sentence to be passed.
“His life in many ways is destroyed. He didn’t target any of the victims and he is willing to undergo any treatment.”
Judge Neil Bidder said James, who had no previous convictions, abused the children “secretly and surreptitiously”.
He added: “They didn’t tell any one because you told one it was her fault and you told the other you’d go to prison if she disclosed what happened.
“A weight of guilt was placed by you on their shoulders.”
The judge, who described James as “intelligent and cunning”, ordered him to register as a sex offender for life and banned him from working with children for life.
He also directed that the licence period of the sentence last six years.
