A Cardiff man has been jailed after he was found guilty of repeatedly sexually abusing a teenage girl and attempting to manipulate her with gifts and money. Clayton Kennedy, 30, was sentenced to over six years behind bars following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court, where details of his “predatory and calculated” crimes emerged.
The court heard how Kennedy systematically targeted the teenager, first gaining her trust by offering what appeared to be innocent gestures, such as buying her items from a shop. However, these encounters quickly escalated to sexual abuse. On one occasion, Kennedy exposed himself in her presence and masturbated to completion—an act which marked the beginning of a campaign of abuse.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed Kennedy’s relentless attempts to pressure his victim into sexual acts. He would send persistent and sexually explicit messages, including requests for oral sex. In a disturbing attempt at coercion, Kennedy promised to buy her a new mobile phone and offered her money if she complied with his demands. These advances extended to sending the girl explicit photographs of himself, compounding the trauma she experienced.
Kennedy’s campaign of abuse had a profound impact on the victim’s daily life. In a victim impact statement read to the court, the young girl described how the ordeal left her feeling anxious and isolated, resulting in her withdrawing from school and friends. “I am the victim of sexual abuse […] It made me stop going to school and I stopped seeing friends I have lost since,” she shared. She went on to recount how the abuse had lingered in her mind, causing her to relive the events and foster uncertainty about her future.
The defence, led by barrister Emily Lauchlan, tried to highlight Kennedy’s background as a “family man” who had always maintained employment and cared for his unwell mother. Despite these submissions, Kennedy continued to profess his innocence, even after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict. Ms Lauchlan noted that Kennedy had already spent 75 days on remand and had been working within the prison system manufacturing fire alarms since his detention.
Sentencing Kennedy, Recorder Dyfed Thomas condemned his actions as both depraved and selfish. The judge stated, “You satisfied your depraved and disgusting sexual urges in an unhealthy attraction to a teenage girl in a certain narcissistic and self-absorbed way […] You should be thoroughly ashamed of your behaviour, Mr Kennedy, but you are not and you have shown no remorse whatsoever.”
The 30-year-old from Channel View Road, Grangetown, was found guilty of multiple offences, including inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, participating in sexual acts in the presence of a child, and sexual communication with a child. These charges reflected the persistent and multi-faceted nature of his offences.
Alongside a prison term of six years and nine months, Kennedy was handed a restraining order banning contact with the victim for a decade, and he is required to comply with sex offender notification requirements indefinitely. The length of the sentence, as well as the additional restrictions, underline the gravity with which the court viewed his actions, and the ongoing need to safeguard the young victim from further harm.
This case has sent shockwaves through the local community, raising critical questions about child safety and the effectiveness of protective mechanisms for the vulnerable. The judge’s comments, paired with the victim’s courageous testimony, serve as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of sexual abuse, and the importance of supporting survivors as they rebuild their lives.
Anyone affected by issues raised in this case is encouraged to reach out to support services for help and advice. The trauma described in court underscores the crucial role of ongoing mental health support, as the victim revealed she continues to attend counselling and is pursuing further options to aid her recovery.
Kennedy’s conviction stands as a testament to the persistence of law enforcement and the justice system in pursuing offenders, ensuring those who commit such acts are held accountable for the damage they inflict on young lives.