Ryan Thomas, 33, has been sentenced to prison following a chilling attack on a 14-year-old girl in Caerphilly. The court heard that Thomas followed the teenager home, hugged her, and then forcibly kissed her without her consent. Prior to this, he had approached the girl and her friend, offering to walk them home, an offer they declined.
In a separate incident, Thomas sent an unsolicited obscene video to another woman. The video showed Thomas with an erect penis, accompanied by a disturbing message about taking Viagra and maintaining an erection for some time. Thomas claimed the video was sent by accident and denied any intent to seek sexual gratification.
The woman who received the video described waking up to it as “vulgar, deeply concerning and repulsive.” She revealed that the incident caused ongoing anxiety and fear for her safety.
Thomas, from Garn Street, Abercarn, has a dark past as a convicted sexual offender with previous offences including assault and exposure. He was known to have followed a female student home from her bar job, exposed himself, and then fled to Ireland. Additionally, Thomas was deported from Australia for similar offences just six months before reoffending in the UK.
The teenage victim expressed relief at the guilty verdict, saying, “Ryan Thomas being found guilty makes me happy and feel justice has been served. I was anxious and scared about facing Thomas in court. I’m relieved the investigation is over but still concerned for my safety.”
The woman who received the lewd video added, “The distress I’ve experienced is profound. I haven’t slept since, withdrew from social media, and worry constantly about my safety and my child’s.”
Defence lawyer Jeffrey Jones noted that Thomas had secured full-time employment before being remanded in custody. However, Judge Matthew Porter-Bryant condemned Thomas for an “ingrained inclination of sexual offending” and sentenced him to 13 months in prison.
In addition to the prison sentence, Thomas faces 10-year restraining orders, a sex offender notification requirement, and a sexual harm prevention order, all lasting a decade.
Originally published by UKNIP.
