Paedophile went on run after victim reported what he had done

A paedophile went on the run from police after a young girl told her mother she had been sexually assaulted by him. He later messaged a relative and told them he was considering suicide.

Bryan Smith, 39, assaulted his victim on multiple occasions by touching her in intimate areas. The abuse came to light when the girl, who was under the age of 13, told her mother the defendant "taps my bottom under my dress". When asked to clarify what she meant she added: "Yes, and my foof (sic)."

A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard the child had been told by Smith not to tell anyone about the abuse. He told her he would get into trouble and would go to jail if anybody found out about it. Once the disclosure had taken place the police were called and spoke to the victim who said Smith had put his hands inside her trousers and "played around in there by my bum".

Attempts were made to were made to locate the defendant after concerns were raised by family members over his welfare after he had messaged a relative saying he was "considering suicide". In messages read to the court Smith had said: "I've made a terrible mistake" and: "I don't understand why I did it". He also referred to himself as a paedophile.

Smith, of Glantwrch, Ystalyfera, Neath Port Talbot, was arrested at Dare Valley Country Park, in Aberdare, after he appeared to be hiding in the passenger seat of his car. He was asked if he had any weapons on him and told the officer there was a knife in the back of his vehicle. The defendant later pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a child under 13 and the court heard he had one caution for a drug offence.

In a victim personal statement read by prosecutor Ruth Smith the victim's mother said her daughter had been having outbursts, getting angry, and was inconsolable when crying and screaming. She said the girl was suffering from nightmares and waking in the night. The mother added: "It has destroyed me. It makes me feel I don't want to be here anymore. I wouldn't do anything to myself because I have to be strong for my children.

"I feel very guilty about what happened to my daughter. I feel like I should have been able to protect her and I let her down.... I feel this happening to her has taken her innocence away. I don't know how it will affect her in the long term. All the family have been left feeling shocked and destroyed by what has happened."

In mitigation Amelia Pike said her client made candid admissions when first arrested. She said he has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, depression, and anxiety for which he is now receiving treatment. The barrister said Smith was "deeply ashamed and disgusted" by his behaviour and "doesn't understand" why the offences happened.

Sentencing, Judge Jeremy Jenkins said he was satisfied the offences were "sexually motivated". He added: "You touched her in the most callous and sexual way... A suspended sentence is inappropriate. No other sentence other than as immediate custodial sentence is commensurate with your offending."

Smith was sentenced to a total of three years imprisonment. He was made subject to a restraining order, a sexual harm prevention order for five years, and sex offender notification requirements indefinitely.

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