A 37-year-old man from Cardiff has been sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage girl. The incident, which occurred when the victim was between 15 and 16 years old, left her feeling vulnerable and frightened. Sion Butcher, of Lydstep Crescent in Gabalfa, Cardiff, was convicted after a trial at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Butcher laid on top of the girl without her consent and proceeded to kiss her on her stomach. The victim recounted feeling “scared” and described being so intimidated by Butcher that she felt unable to resist or say no to his advances. The court heard that Butcher’s actions escalated when he attempted to pull down the teenager’s trousers. However, the victim managed to persuade him that she needed to use the toilet, which allowed her to escape from the situation.
After the incident, Butcher was arrested by South Wales Police. During interviews and throughout the legal proceedings, he denied the allegations of sexual assault. Despite his persistent denials, a jury found him guilty of the offence. The court was told that while Butcher did have previous convictions, none were of a sexual nature.
During sentencing, the court heard from Butcher’s defence, William Bebb, who stated that his client had, prior to this offence, served time in prison for the first time while on remand for this case. The barrister highlighted that there had been a significant gap in Butcher’s criminal record and attributed recent offending to personal losses, including the death of a close family member. According to the defence, the bereavement led Butcher to substance misuse, contributing to a period of instability in his life.
It was submitted to the court that during his time on remand, Butcher had made efforts towards rehabilitation by engaging in various courses and maintaining sobriety from drugs. The barrister argued that his client now demonstrated a commitment to pursuing a different path should he be given a further chance in the community.
On sentencing, Judge Vanessa Francis handed down a custodial sentence of two years’ imprisonment for Butcher. However, due to the time he had already served while on remand, it is likely he will be released immediately under time already served provisions.
In addition to the prison sentence, Butcher has been made subject to a restraining order, which prohibits him from contacting the victim for five years. The court also imposed a requirement for Butcher to adhere to sex offender notification rules for the next decade, meaning he will need to keep authorities informed of his whereabouts and comply with strict monitoring.
The case has prompted concern among local communities, with authorities reiterating the importance of support for survivors of abuse and the robust response to sexual offences from the judicial system. The victim’s bravery in coming forward has also been acknowledged by police and court officials, emphasising the need for anyone experiencing similar situations to seek help and report incidents.
As the city comes to terms with this distressing case, support services remain available for anyone affected by sexual abuse. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing work needed to support survivors and hold perpetrators to account, ensuring that justice is served and safeguards are maintained within the community.