A 39-year-old man from Cardiff has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two teenage women, after inappropriately touching them and making deeply unsettling comments. David Llewellyn, who previously had been convicted for possessing indecent images of children, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court where the details of his latest offences were laid bare.
The court heard how Llewellyn approached his victims and in each case made them feel cornered and deeply uncomfortable. One young woman, who was only 19 at the time, described how Llewellyn physically blocked her path, getting uncomfortably close to her, before proceeding to touch her inappropriately. When she tried to assert her age in an attempt to fend him off, Llewellyn reportedly responded with the disturbing comment, “I’ve done much younger than that.”
It was revealed that Llewellyn would often accompany these actions with whispered sexual remarks delivered directly into the victims’ ears, adding another layer of trauma to his assaults. One victim described in her statement that Llewellyn “smirked” following the assault and said, “Come on, you love it,” making the ordeal even more distressing for those involved.
A significant portion of the court proceedings focused not only on the impact of Llewellyn’s actions but also on his concerning attitude when confronted. The second teenager he assaulted recounted how, after she turned and accused him of sexual assault, Llewellyn simply acknowledged the fact, telling her, “Yes, I know.” This apparent lack of remorse or understanding of the severity of his actions was highlighted by prosecutors.
Both victims recounted suffering significant emotional consequences in the aftermath of the assaults. In a personal statement read out in court, one of them spoke of “sleepless nights” and a fear that has since prevented her from feeling safe leaving her home at night. She said the incident had left her extremely anxious and wary of being around others. The prosecution asserted that these assaults had lasting effects on the women involved, with one describing feeling “uncomfortable and vulnerable” as a direct result of Llewellyn’s behaviour.
Despite denying the charges of sexual assault, Llewellyn was found guilty of both offences following a trial. The court was told that these were not his first run-ins with the law. Llewellyn’s criminal record included four other convictions, with a previous notable instance involving the creation of indecent images in 2018. Following this, he had also been issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which, according to prosecutors, he has since breached on multiple occasions.
During mitigation, Llewellyn’s defence barrister, Paul Hewitt, portrayed his client’s situation as “bleak”, emphasising that Llewellyn would lose his place in supported accommodation if imprisoned. The court heard that Llewellyn suffers from anxiety, for which he is medicated, but Judge Carl Harrison was unconvinced that these factors warranted leniency in sentencing.
In passing sentence, Judge Harrison remarked on the gravity of the offences, stating that they were far too serious to be handled with anything but an immediate custodial sentence. The judge further criticised Llewellyn for minimising his actions in his discussions with probation officers, showing little insight into the harm he had caused his victims.
Llewellyn was sentenced to six months in prison. The case highlights the ongoing challenge faced by the courts in addressing sexual offences, particularly those involving repeat offenders. It serves as a reminder of the long-lasting impact that such crimes can have on the lives of those targeted, and the importance of ensuring justice is both seen to be done and serves as a deterrent.