Mohammad Haddad, 70, has been jailed for six years for child sex offences committed more than four decades ago.
Appearing at Merthyr Crown Court on Tuesday, he was sentenced after a jury found him guilty of one count of attempted rape and six counts of indecent assault against a young girl in the 1990s.
Victim impact
Prosecution barrister James Evans detailed the offences to the court. The victim read a statement describing how Haddad's actions had “affected every part” of her life, left her “disconnected”, and “stole her sense of safety”. She said it left her “fighting invisible battles” and “changed her forever”.
Defence and sentencing
Christopher Rees, for Haddad, noted the offences happened 40 years ago, that Haddad is not a healthy man, and is the sole carer for his wife. He asked for the shortest possible sentence.
Judge Jeremy Jenkins acknowledged Haddad's age, poor health, lack of prior convictions, and productive life since the crimes. He said custody would be difficult at his age and hard for his wife.
Haddad, of Fields Park Road, Newport, was jailed for six years.
