March 2015
Man jailed for rape and assault on girl, aged 14
A man from Blaenau Ffestiniog has been jailed for six years after being convicted of raping and assaulting a schoolgirl.
Leon Thomas (pictured), now 23, of Camlyn, denied rape, sexual assault and ABH on the victim when he was aged 18, but he was convicted at an earlier hearing.
Judge Rhys Rowlands, sitting at Mold Crown Court, ordered him to register with the police as a sex offender for 10 years.
A 10-year restraining order was also made under which he is to have no contact with the victim or her family, or write anything about her on social media.
The judge said he had considered whether to sentence the defendant as a dangerous offender but had decided not to do so.
He said that the offences were committed against a girl who was aged 14.
The judge described Thomas as controlling, she had acted very much under his influence, and he had taken advantage of her.
He said the aggravating feature was that he had penetrative sex with a child.
The rape occurred when she woke up to find him having intercourse with her and failed to stop when she told him to.
But, he took into account that he was now being sentenced for his behaviour five years ago.
The court heard that, at the time, he had been an arrogant young man who had been completely indulged by his own family.
He had been “wholly self-centred” and did not care less about the young victim.“Whether you have grown up since I don’t know. But the sentence will give you plenty of time to reflect on your behaviour,” he said.
John Wyn Williams, defending, said that the pre-sentence report did not make happy reading.
He maintained his position that he was innocent.
There was a different side to him and was fortunate to have the support of his family and girlfriend.
He was a very young man at the time, said Mr Williams.
