A painter and decorator who groomed and sexually abused a schoolgirl "time and time again" has been jailed for 11 years.
Damian O'Flynn, 38, of Coegnant Cottages, Caerau, Maesteg, had previously been convicted at trial of 11 counts of sexual assault and engaging in sexual activity with a child. He returned to Merthyr Crown Court for sentencing after denying any wrongdoing, forcing his victim to give evidence before a jury.
Victim's statement read to court
In a statement read to the court, the victim told O'Flynn that though he had "brutally stolen" her childhood, he no longer had power over her and would not stop her from leading a "happy and successful life".
The court heard that O'Flynn sexually abused the girl at locations in the Maesteg area before 2020, and that his behaviour became "bolder" over time.
The victim described the devastating impact of the offending on her life, including leading her to engage in self-harm and develop an eating disorder. She described what O'Flynn did to her as "vile" and said she blamed him "for the way I feel every day".
Court process and sentencing
The woman said going through the court process had sent her anxiety levels "through the roof" but added that it had been "my time to speak my truth and be believed". She added: "You may have brutally stolen my childhood from me but you will not effect my life any more, and you will not steal my adulthood. I will be happy and successful in life".
Peter Donnison, for O'Flynn, said the court would be concerned that the defendant does not accept his guilty verdict, and said it was to be hoped the probation service would be able to work with him to address that issue. He said his client had always been a hard worker and had no alcohol or drug issues.
Judge Celia Hughes told O'Flynn she had no doubt he had groomed his young victim and sexually abused her "time and time again". She said the defendant had then offered "bare denials" and made his victim go through the ordeal of a trial.
Impact and conditions
The judge said having heard the evidence at trial it was clear that the victim was "an incredibly articulate person with a bright future ahead of her", and she said she wished her well in her future career ambitions and hoped the verdicts of the jury would provide some solace.
O'Flynn will serve half of his 11-year sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. He will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life and was also made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. He has one previous conviction for one offence of battery from 2017.
