A restaurant manager and former teacher has been found guilty of raping a woman in Carmarthen, following a high-profile trial at Swansea Crown Court. Daniel Gravell, 43, of Porth Y Plas, Johnstown, Carmarthen, was convicted of rape relating to an incident that occurred more than two decades ago, in 2002. The verdict was delivered unanimously by a jury after more than six hours of deliberation.
Throughout the two-week trial, the court heard disturbing details of the events that unfolded on the night of the assault. Testimonies revealed that the woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had been put to bed by friends after feeling unwell and being sick. According to her evidence, she had just returned home from a night out in town. It was while she was in this vulnerable state that Gravell entered the room and raped her.
Describing the moments of the attack, the victim gave a harrowing account from the witness stand. She recalled regaining consciousness to find Gravell’s face close to hers. “I moved my head, opened my eyes and saw this awful face in front of me, really, really close. There was no sensation in my body. I couldn’t feel anything apart from weight on my chest. I said get off twice,” she told the court. Gravell tried to reassure her by falsely stating he was her ex-boyfriend, attempting to downplay the gravity of the assault.
In addition to the incident in 2002, Gravell faced accusations of raping the same woman in 2005, as well as a separate allegation from 2022. The trial concluded with the jury returning a not guilty verdict on the 2022 allegation, while the jury was unable to reach a decision regarding the 2005 incident. Judge Geraint Walters indicated that the Crown Prosecution Service would decide in the coming week whether to seek a retrial on the unresolved 2005 allegation.
Following the guilty verdict, Judge Walters remanded Gravell into custody pending sentencing, for which a date is yet to be fixed. Gravell, who has worked as a teacher in Swansea and is known locally as the manager of the Baltic Inn and Restaurant near Carmarthen, was previously acquitted of rape in a separate case tried in Swansea in 2016.
This case has prompted local concern, with residents and business patrons shocked at the revelations concerning an individual known in both the education sector and hospitality industry. The period between the offence and the trial, spanning over twenty years, also highlights the complex and enduring nature of many historic sexual assault cases, where victims sometimes take years to come forward.
Legal experts suggest the unanimous verdict is a testament to the strength and credibility of the victim’s evidence, as well as the thoroughness of the Crown’s case. They also underline the importance of juries in listening carefully to all sides before reaching a decision in such serious and sensitive matters.
The court’s decision brings closure to one chapter for the victim but also raises questions about support for those coming to terms with historic abuse. Domestic abuse charities have reiterated the message that it is never too late for survivors to seek justice and support, regardless of how much time has passed.
As the case moves towards sentencing, attention will be focused on the outcome and its implications for victims of historical sexual offences. The Crown Prosecution Service is expected to announce its decision regarding a possible retrial for the 2005 allegation in due course, leaving the possibility of further legal proceedings.
For those affected by sexual violence, there are numerous support services available, including local and national helplines, offering confidential advice and guidance. This case serves as a reminder of the crucial importance of such support networks and the role they play in helping survivors rebuild their lives.