**Former Teacher Daniel Gravell Sentenced for 2002 Rape in Carmarthen**
Daniel Gravell, 43, a former teacher and restaurant manager from Carmarthen, has been sentenced for the rape of a 19-year-old woman in a case that dates back over two decades. The historic case, which was heard at Swansea Crown Court, has drawn significant attention due to the severity of the offence and the long passage of time since it was committed.
The court was told that the incident occurred following a gathering at a house in Carmarthen in 2002. The survivor was put to bed by friends after becoming unwell, only to be attacked by Gravell while she was incapacitated. The victim described waking to find him over her, recounting, “There was no sensation in my body. I couldn’t feel anything apart from weight on my chest. I said get off twice.” Despite her protests, the attack continued, with Gravell reportedly attempting to reassure her by falsely claiming to be her ex-boyfriend.
Gravell denied the allegations, but after a two-week trial and more than six hours of deliberation, a jury of eleven men and women returned a unanimous verdict of guilty. Throughout the proceedings, the impact of the crime was clear, with the survivor providing graphic details of the ordeal and the long-lasting effects it had on her life.
In addition to the conviction for rape, Gravell was sentenced for a charge of voyeurism. This related to a separate incident in which he had consensual sex with another woman but surreptitiously photographed her while she was naked, an act he admitted in court. The woman was reportedly unaware that these images were being taken, further compounding the sense of violation.
During the trial, other allegations against Gravell were considered. He faced accusations of two further rapes in Carmarthen, one in 2005 and another in 2022. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty in relation to the 2022 charge, while they could not reach a decision regarding the 2005 case. As a result, a retrial for the 2005 allegation will be scheduled at a later date.
Until his arrest and subsequent trial, Gravell had worked in education in Swansea before managing the Baltic Inn and Restaurant near Pontyates, just a short distance from Carmarthen. The background offered little indication to the wider community about the nature of the crimes for which he would ultimately be convicted.
Sentencing remarks from the judge highlighted the breach of trust and violation of personal autonomy involved in both the rape and voyeurism offences. The court heard that the survivor’s life had been starkly affected by the attack, experiencing emotional trauma and a substantial disturbance to her wellbeing, even many years later.
Welsh criminal justice observers note that historic sex crimes can take many years to bring to trial, often relying on the courage of victims to come forward and the persistence of investigators and prosecutors. In this case, advances in forensic evidence and a compelling testimony from the victim were crucial in securing the conviction.
As the case concludes, it underscores both the enduring impact of sexual violence and the ability of victims to secure justice, regardless of how much time has elapsed. The Carmarthen community, as well as Gravell’s former colleagues, have expressed feelings of shock and sadness following the revelation of his crimes. Meanwhile, authorities remind the public of the continued importance of reporting such incidents and supporting survivors as they seek justice.
A retrial date for the outstanding 2005 rape allegation against Gravell will be announced in due course. In the meantime, he begins serving his sentence for the 2002 rape and the related count of voyeurism, marking the end of a long ordeal for his victims.