Latest Offenders Cardiff

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A man has been jailed for 18 years after being found guilty of raping a child.

Julian Hobbs, 36, of Cathays was sentenced to 15 years, with an extension of three years at Merthyr Crown Court today (March 16) after being found guilty multiple child sex offences.

Hobbs was found guilty of the following offences, following a three day trial between December 15 – 18 at Newport Crown Court:

• Three counts of Rape a girl under 13
• Two counts of Offender 18 or over cause a child under 13 to watch / look at an image of sexual activity
• One count of Cause / incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity - no penetration

His conviction comes after the victim bravely reported Hobb’s actions to a teacher at school.

Investigating officer DC Geraint Strakis said:

“I commend the victim, who is still a child, for her bravery in reporting Hobbs’ disgusting actions. No child should have to endure this type of abuse.

“Despite his continued attempts to avoid culpability for his actions by pleading guilty, I’m thankful to see he has been held account for his predatory nature.”

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A paedophile who asked a 14-year-old girl to perform a sexual act on him swore at a judge, telling her "f*** your country," before storming out of his sentencing hearing and refusing to return. He appeared via video link from prison.

Abdirahman Osman, 44, approached a group of young girls in Roath Park, Cardiff, on July 13 last year. He asked their ages, tried to hug one, called them "sweeties," and said he wanted to be one of their boyfriends.

The girls told him to leave, but later that day, he called one over to his nearby home, asking for her help. When she approached, he requested oral sex, leaving her "shocked and scared," the court heard.

She returned to her friends, who called police. Osman was arrested and told an officer: "I didn't touch anyone, they were talking to me and I asked one of them for a b*****b and that was it."

Osman, of Pen y Wain Road, Roath, was convicted at Cardiff Crown Court of attempting to engage/incite a child in sexual activity. He has prior convictions for battery and robbery.

As Judge Lucy Crowther addressed him, Osman said: "I want to go back to my own country (Kenya). F*** your country." He then left the video room and returned to his cell.

In her victim statement, the girl said: "Since this incident I feel wary of people and scared of people who look like him. I don't like going out on my own anymore. My social interactions have changed, I don't like going out on my own and don't feel safe.

"I don't go to the Roath Park area as I find it distressing. I now stay local to home as I feel safer this way. My mum has been concerned and worried for me and she's supported me. Following the incident I am shocked and distressed a man can say things like this and leave me feeling worried and upset."

Judge Crowther sentenced Osman to two years' imprisonment and a 10-year sex offender notification requirement.

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Justin James, 46, from Ely, Cardiff, has been jailed for sexually assaulting three females over a three-year period.

James was found guilty of five counts of sexual assault by penetration and six counts of sexual assault by touching.

He was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, January 23 to 14 years imprisonment and placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

A further hearing yesterday (Tuesday, February 10) confirmed that James is also subject of a Restraining Order and Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Lewis Clarke, from South Wales Police, said:

“The victims and their relatives have been deeply impacted by James’ offending and were massively relieved at the conclusion of the trial that their voices had been heard.

“The sentencing will, of course, not undo what happened to them but gives them a piece of mind that they have been taken seriously and that they will be protected from Justin James by the sentence he has received.”

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A man has been sentenced to 10 years, with an extension period of six years, after he was convicted of a rape and an attempt to rape.

Yusuf Nur, aged 47, of Cardiff, pleaded guilty to the two offences on September 15, 2025 and was today (January 23) sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court.

The court heard how, on August 17, at around 5.20am, the 19-year-old victim flagged down officers on patrol and reported the rape that had just occurred on Kingsway, in the city centre.

Nur was swiftly located, arrested and charged. Despite initially denying any contact, the extensive work carried out by officers including forensic and CCTV review, Nur then changed his plea to guilty.

Investigating officer DC Liberty Knox said:

“The bravery it takes to come forward and reporting an offence like this not to be underestimated, and I hope knowing Nur has been held accountable helps the healing journey to come for the victim.

“An extensive amount of work went into this investigation which in turn made Nur plead guilty. I would like to thank all the officers who supported this investigation and ensured Nur was held accountable for his actions.”

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A sports coach was found with indecent images of child abuse after police seized his mobile phone, which contained search terms like "young gymnast" and "girl cheerleaders."

Ciaran Bright, 30, was visited by officers at his Cardiff home on July 25, 2025, following a South Wales Police investigation triggered by a referral from social media company Kik about an individual uploading such images.

At a sentencing hearing Friday at Cardiff Magistrates' Court, prosecutors said a seized phone revealed two category A images, two category B images, and four category C images, downloaded between April 2 and July 18, 2025. Search terms included "young gymnast," "girl cheerleaders," and "children on leashes."

Bright, of Pennsylvania, Pentwyn, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. The court heard he had previous good character.

On LinkedIn, Bright described himself as a director of SportsXtra, working with clubs including Cardiff City FC and Swansea City FC.

In mitigation, the court heard his life had "spiralled" due to drug use, but he is addressing it. He has lost his career, is unemployed, has supportive family, and showed no evidence of direct child contact.

Bright received a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, plus a 14-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 200 hours of unpaid work. He must comply with sex offender notification requirements and a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

A SportsXtra spokesperson said:

"We are very shocked by this news, and are deeply dismayed that Ciaran has behaved in such a deplorable way.

"Safeguarding is our highest priority and as soon as we learned about the allegations against Ciaran we immediately suspended him, in line with our procedures, and ensured he had no further contact with young people.

"We remain committed to maintaining the trust placed in us and continue to review our safeguarding policies to ensure the strongest possible protections are in place."

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A Cardiff man who used his luxury city centre apartment as a base for young male prostitution which earned him tens of thousands of pounds has been jailed.

Dafydd Evans, of the Hayes Apartments, Cardiff, was jailed at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday, December 22, after he was found guilty by a jury of controlling prostitution for gain, possessing indecent images of children, and acquiring illegal property, namely money.

He came under the radar of South Wales Police’s Exploitation Team after a man from Turkey contacted the Modern Slavery Helpline. Evans had met the man on a website which aims to put people in touch with travellers looking for a place to stay. The whistleblower became suspicious and repulsed by Evans, from what he divulged during online conversations.

Critically to the police investigation which followed, Evans had told him he had a massage business in Cardiff city centre, which included a rough location on a map and the front door and foyer area of the Hayes Apartment he lived in.

Dafydd Evans was at home when South Wales Police officers conducted arrest enquiries on July 3, 2023. They found a massage bed in the corner of the living room, sex paraphernalia including condoms and lubricants, and boys underwear. Officers also recovered a card payment machine from the flat. Strewn over the bed were a number of mobile phones which were all seized and examined forensically.

Officers uncovered extensive evidence of criminality on those devices; Whatsapp accounts owned by Evans included messages he sent of children being abused. They also revealed he was offering sexual intercourse with young men who worked for him and that he was prepared to travel to other countries to meet clients.

His bank statements showed he potentially made as much as £40k from his criminality.

Evans was initially released on bail with conditions which included not having anyone at his apartment but breached those conditions when an officer carried out bail checks. He went on the run from police but was arrested at a hotel a few days later and remanded in custody.

Following a trial on Friday, December 20, Dafydd Evans was found guilty of controlling prostitution for gain, acquiring criminal property - namely money, and two counts of possessing Category A and C indecent photographs of a child. On Monday, December 22, he was jailed for 45 months at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Robyn Allen, said:

“Dafydd Evans is a calculated paedophile who made thousands of pounds operating his sordid enterprise from a luxury Cardiff City Centre apartment.

“He preyed on vulnerable people and used them as sex slaves for his own financial gain and to satisfy his sick, depraved fantasies.

“We have shared information we have uncovered during our investigation with international partners, including police forces across the world, so that anyone who is complicit in his activities also face arrest, and to ensure that any other victims get the help and support they need.”

Officers seized over £40k from his bank accounts and are taking steps under the Proceeds of Crime Act to ensure he does not benefit financially from his criminality.

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Victims of an abuser who committed sex acts on children while under 18 were left feeling suicidal, with one saying the ordeal ruined her life.

Kai Lewis, now 29, sexually assaulted his first victim starting when she was of primary school age and he was in his mid-teens. At Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, the hearing revealed he abused his second victim, also of primary school age, when he was in his late teens. Lewis, of Tweedsmuir Road in Tremorfa, Cardiff, was convicted.

One victim realized the abuse was wrong during school sex education, while the other understood it during a sleepover.

In her victim personal statement, the first victim said: "I am not going to sit here and say this hasn't defined my life, it has. It has ruined my life and changed me as a person. I have been abused by this man since I was a child and it has shaped the person I am today.

"I was not able to have a normal childhood or teenage years like my friends and it has had an impact on all adult aspects of my life. I have not been able to form healthy relationships or trust another man in my life."

She described severe mental health impacts, including flashbacks and multiple suicide attempts, adding: "The image of him still haunts me to this day. I see his face in all men around me and ask myself if it will ever get better. I will never be able to get over the abuse."

The second victim stated: "I am making this statement to express my feelings of how the abuse has impacted my life. He made me feel disgusting and that I need to scrub my skin at all times. I can feel his hands on me and have vivid dreams about it happening all over again.

"He made me feel vulnerable and scared of all men, I fear any man can assault me, not only him.

"I can't remember my childhood, I think I was trying to block out all the memories... I am on anti depressants, struggling with my mental health and felt like I wanted to end my life. I am getting flashbacks triggered by random things. I feel disgusting in my own body and will never feel clean or good enough.

"I feel like I am finally getting the justice I deserve after such a long period of time and I'm looking forward to starting the process of healing."

Lewis denied the charges but was convicted after trial of assault by penetration, causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and two counts of sexual activity with a child.

Prosecutor Kathryn Lane said: "(The victims) thought the defendant's behaviour was normal as they were so young when it occurred. They were unaware this ought not to be happening." The victims later reported separately to police.

In mitigation, Heath Edwards noted Lewis committed the offenses as a youth, is registered blind, unemployed, and lives an unstructured life. Lewis has one prior robbery conviction.

Judge Richard Kember sentenced Lewis as if he were under 18 at the time, imposing four years and six months' imprisonment, plus an indefinite restraining order, sex offender notification requirements, and an eight-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

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William Aderayo Adesanya, from Penarth, has been jailed for multiple rapes.

The 25-year-old was sentenced at Newport Crown Court on Monday, November 3, to 16 years in prison, with an extended licence period of six years.

He was jailed after being found guilty of three counts of rape, one count of sexual assault and one count of intentional strangulation.

Adesanya was also made subject to a restraining order and Sexual Harm Prevention Order prohibiting him from having contact with sex workers, both to run indefinitely.

Adesanya attended the victim’s home address in Cardiff for the purposes of using her services as an escort.

While at the address Adesanya strangled the victim until she became unconscious, sexually assaulted and raped her multiple times. He filmed his acts on his mobile phone.

William Adesanya, from Penarth, has been jailed for multiple rapes.

The 25-year-old was sentenced at Newport Crown Court on Monday, November 3, to 16 years in prison, with an extended licence period of six years.

He was jailed after being found guilty of three counts of rape, one count of sexual assault and one count of intentional strangulation.

Adesanya was also made subject to a restraining order and Sexual Harm Prevention Order prohibiting him from having contact with sex workers, both to run indefinitely.

Adesanya attended the victim’s home address in Cardiff for the purposes of using her services as an escort.

While at the address Adesanya strangled the victim until she became unconscious, sexually assaulted and raped her multiple times. He filmed his acts on his mobile phone.

Following the sentencing hearing, the victim wrote to South Wales Police saying:

"I would like to say thank you to DC Nick Young and to everyone else that has helped and supported me through the process of the trial and sentencing of my attacker. 

"I am so incredibly grateful for him and all that he has done, he has shown me an incredible amount of patience, kindness, and compassion throughout this entire traumatic process. 

"This has been a long, emotional journey and I would not have been able to do it without the support of everyone involved. 

"Thank you all so very much. From the bottom of my heart."

Officer in the case, DC Nick Young, said:

“The victim demonstrated exceptional bravery throughout the process and hopes that her story can encourage others who are suffering to report matters.  South Wales Police will be relentless in our pursuit of offenders and those who target the vulnerable in our communities.”

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Fawaz Alsamaou, 33, from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, has been jailed for sexually assaulting a woman in Cathays, Cardiff.

The woman was walking from the city centre during the early hours of Sunday, May 12, 2024 when she became aware of a man walking behind her.

She was then sexually assaulted under the railway bridge close to Senghenydd Hall.

Extensive enquiries were conducted and Alsamaou was identified as a suspect following a CCTV appeal for information on BBC Crimewatch.

In a Victim Personal Statement to the court, the woman, now aged 24, described the impact of the crime.

“The attack that happened on me has had a lasting effect on me to this day and I still think about it every day. Now I feel that I am looking over my shoulder more and always thinking the worst. I don’t feel safe going anywhere by myself and still I don’t feel safe now when it is dark outside.

“I want the male responsible for the attack to serve justice. Not only so I can have closure from the incident but to ensure that this doesn’t happen to any other females in the future.”

Alsamaou was convicted and sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court today to three years and one month in prison for the sexual assault and 16 months concurrent for intentional strangulation.

Detective Sergeant Alex Lloyd, from South Wales Police, said:

“Everyone has the right to feel safe, any time of day, wherever they are, and South Wales Police does everything possible to ensure people feel safe when going about their everyday business.

“We hope today’s sentencing gives the victim the closure that she has been seeking.

“Stranger incidents like that are very unusual, but when they do happen, we use all available policing methods, including media appeals for information, to bring offenders to justice.

“We would like to acknowledge the bravery of the victim in speaking out and thank BBC Crimewatch for their assistance.”

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A woman attempted suicide twice, visiting a bridge with intent to end her life, after being sexually assaulted by David Walsh, 41, of Cardiff. She described her life in "turmoil" and feeling "sick to her stomach" when Walsh denied the offenses.

Walsh assaulted the victim by performing oral sex on her after she passed out from alcohol and penetrating her with his fingers on two occasions.

At Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, the victim reported the assault, leading to Walsh's arrest. He denied the claims, alleging she made up or "exaggerated" them. A jury convicted him of two counts of assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault.

In her victim personal statement, read by prosecutor Thomas Stanway, she said: "The impact on my family and I has been huge." A decade-long degree pursuit derailed, she can no longer chase her dream career, facing massive financial strain: "I am unable to hold a job down... I have been signed off from work due to anxiety. The incident has taken my independence away. Having my dream career taken away from me and not being able to work is heartbreaking."

She undergoes therapy but battles insomnia, flashbacks, severe depression, and shaking like Parkinson's: "I suffer with shaking as if I have Parkinson's. It happens when I'm watching TV at home and anxiety washes all over me... Some days I feel like I need to be cared for like a child." She added: "I am regularly severely depressed, on two occasions I ended up on (a roundabout) and my husband had to call me off to stop me from jumping... Standing on that bridge would never have happened if the defendant hadn't assaulted me that night... It sickens me down to my stomach (the defendant) thought what he had done was acceptable and for him to deny what he did while my life has been in turmoil really hurts."

Walsh has prior convictions for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, battery, and dangerous driving. In mitigation, Christopher Evans claimed no "severe psychological harm," noting Walsh's two children and support for his sister's family bills.

Judge Greg Bull deemed the offenses "pretty serious" with aggravating factors, sentencing Walsh to six years and six months in prison, indefinite sex offender registration, and a 20-year restraining order.

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A man from Butetown has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for sexual offences against children.

Liton Ahmed, 47, denied six counts of sexually assaulting a girl by touching and one count of attempting to sexually assault a girl by touching.

But he was found guilty following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court in April 2025.

Ahmed was sentenced at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on August 26, 2025, to 18 years in prison.

Officer in the case Dc Steven Taylor said:  

“I want to commend the victims for their courage in coming forward- thanks to their reports and support, justice has been served.

"It has been a traumatic time for everyone involved and I am hopeful the outcome at court brings the victims and families some comfort which they deserve.”

Ahmed is also on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely, is subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and has a Restraining Order in respect of the victims until further notice.

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A sex offender has been locked up thanks to determined police work – and help from facial recognition technology.

Alexander Dale, 31, grabbed the 11-year-old girl and pushed her to the floor while she was walking her dog in Cyncoed, Cardiff, last year.

Two days earlier, on October 23, 2024, Dale approached a 15-year-old girl on a bus travelling from Barry and showed her explicit messages on his phone.

Detectives sourced CCTV from the bus and, using Retrospective Facial Recognition, Dale was quickly identified as the suspect.

He was arrested, charged and remanded within a week.

Retrospective Facial Recognition technology compares still images of faces of unknown subjects against a reference image database.

Further enquires confirmed Dale had used a mobile phone app, linked to his e-mail address, to buy his bus ticket.

He pleaded guilty to sexual assault and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Today, he was sentenced at Newport Crown Court to 23 months in prison and is also subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Emma Partridge said:

“Both victims have been incredibly brave to share what happened to them and support the investigation.

“Dale’s actions continue to have a huge impact on their day to day lives including feeling vulnerable on public transport and walking alone.

“I hope today’s sentencing brings the girls some comfort and allows them to regain their confidence to move forward.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe, wherever they are, and South Wales Police does everything possible to keep communities safe and ensure people feel safe when going about their everyday business.

“Stranger incidents like that are very unusual, but when they do happen, we use all available technology and traditional policing methods to bring offenders to justice."

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A man who sexually abused and raped a woman then tried to claim she dreamt his attack has been jailed.

Justin Saliba, 50, of Llanishen, was jailed for 11 years at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday, August 18.

The offence dates back to 2021 and happened at his flat – Saliba had preyed on his victim while she was asleep.

The victim woke to find him raping her and fleed after the attack.

She told family who then contacted South Wales Police, and a South Wales Police investigation was launched.

Saliba was arrested and charged with rape and sexual abuse, but he pleaded not guilty, claiming the victim had confused a dream with reality.

But a jury saw through his lies he was found guilty and remanded in custody following a trial.

Saliba was jailed for 11 years and will serve a minimum of two thirds of that sentence before being released on license. He will also be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.

Detective Constable Charlotte Watkins said:

“Justin Saliba’s actions that night did irreparable damage to his victim. He denied the offence and in doing so dragged his victim through the trauma of a trial and years of waiting for justice.

“He is a dangerous predator who is now serving many years behind bars where he is no longer a threat to others.

“I do hope his victim finds some comfort knowing that and is able to begin the difficult process of rebuilding her life.”

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A Cardiff couple who committed numerous child sex offences have been jailed.

Tracy Turner from Roath, and Stuart Compton of Cathays, sent messages to each other discussing their sex lives and arranging to sexually abuse three named children.

As part of the investigation, detectives reviewed 96,000 messages between the defendants who were discussing what they wanted to do to the child victims.

Turner, 51, admitted six charges of arranging the commission of child sex offences, and two charges of making indecent images of a child.

Compton, 45, also pleaded guilty to six charges of arranging the commission of child sex offences.

The investigation began in June 2025, when information was received of concerning conversations, involving Compton, on a dating app. As a result, his phone was seized revealing thousands of messages between him and Turner.

Today (Monday, July 28) they were jailed at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.

Turner was sentenced to 12-year custodial sentence with an extended two-year licence.

Compton was sentenced to life imprisonment and must serve a minimum of six years and 131 days before being considered for parole.

They are also subject to Restraining Orders and Sexual Harm Prevention Orders.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector David Butt from South Wales Police, said:

“Today’s sentencing concludes a 12-month investigation, during which time a small team of detectives reviewed approximately 96,000 messages which Tracy Turner and Stuart Compton sent to each other.

“The volume and nature of the content was disturbing – the worst of the worst – but the officers demonstrated resilience and determination to get justice.

“Thankfully, the victims had no knowledge of what was taking place. In statements provided to the court, some family members of the victims have described the devastating impact of the crimes, and we hope today’s sentencing brings them some comfort.

“Offenders like Turner and Compton believe they can hide behind phone screens, but this is clearly not the case.

“It is our absolute priority to protect children, and I am grateful to colleagues for their meticulous investigation into this appalling case, and the co-operation of the Crown Prosecution Service.

"The successful prosecution and conviction of these two dangerous sexual predators, will ensure that children are protected."

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A 39-year-old man has been jailed for 19-years with an extra eight years on extended licence after admitting multiple sexual offences committed against two girls in Bristol.

Mark Manship, of Cardiff, raped, sexually assaulted and shared indecent images of a “very young” girl online. He was also convicted of taking an indecent picture of a teenage girl in 2011.

He was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court today (27 June) where he was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a restraining order and added to the Sex Offenders’ Register.

The court heard Manship was caught after exchanging sexually-explicit messages describing child abuse, as well as indecent images of children, with an undercover FBI agent in December 2020 who then informed police in the UK.

He was arrested by Avon and Somerset Police and a search of his devices uncovered hundreds of indecent images of children.

He was charged with the following offences:

• One count of rape of a child under 13
• Four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13
• Two counts of taking indecent photographs of a child
• Two counts of distributing indecent photographs of a child
• One count of making indecent photographs of a child

He pleaded guilty to each offence when he appeared at Bristol Crown Court last month.

In a victim personal statement, the court was told of the significant impact of his crimes and that it “continues to echo through every part” of their lives.

It said they “no longer feel safe in their own world,” and that there is now “fear where there used to be comfort; suspicion where there used to be ease”.

Sentencing Manship, the judge said: “The facts of this case are extremely distressing. They are nothing short of revolting or horrific.”

He handed him a 19-year prison sentence with an extend licence period of eight years. He also granted lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention and Restraining orders and added Manship to the sex offenders’ register.

DC Elizabeth Howell, the investigating officer, said: 

“Mark Manship is a manipulative man who committed truly abhorrent crimes to fuel his own grotesque sexual desires.

“He took advantage of very young girls and shared his horrific abuse of one of them online – giving absolutely no thought to their wellbeing or the devastating long-term effects his crimes will have on them and their families.

“The impact of his offending has been immense and I don’t underestimate how horrendous these last few years have been for them.

“They deserve enormous credit for their dedication in helping us bring Mark Manship to justice and for the bravery and strength they have shown.

“I’m very pleased they have been able to see him handed a significant prison sentence today.”