A man has been jailed for three years after driving a girl under 14 to a layby in north Wales and demanding she perform a sex act on him.
David Evans was 19 years old when he targeted his underage victim, who only came forward to report the historic offence in Flintshire after she herself became a parent. Both Evans and his victim, who cannot be identified to protect her lifelong anonymity, are now middle-aged.
Guilty plea and sentencing
Evans, of Wrexham Road, Eccleston, pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault on a child under 14. A judge at Mold Crown Court sentenced him on Tuesday to three years in prison.
Prosecuting barrister Laura Knightly told the court that Evans collected the girl from a location in Flintshire before driving her to the layby where she was made to perform a sex act on him, reports North Wales Live.
Victim impact
It was only after the victim became a parent herself that she felt able to report the incident. Evans was subsequently arrested in June 2022.
In a victim statement she said the incident "changed the course of [her] life". Evans had threatened her with violence should she tell her parents, leaving her to suffer in silence for many years.
She went on to experience anxiety and depression, with the majority of her relationships deeply affected as a result.
Defence and sentence
Sion ap Mihangel, defending, noted that Evans had shown the "good sense" to admit his guilt at an early stage. By way of background, he explained that Evans' parents had separated when he was young, and he had been prevented from seeing his mother following the split.
He experienced bowel difficulties and pulled out his hair. He received treatment from a child psychologist. A borderline personality disorder diagnosis wasn't made until he reached 34.
He has displayed genuine shame and remorse, Mr ap Mihangel said. Judge Mr Recorder John Philpotts handed Evans a three-year prison sentence but explained the historic offence was "simply too serious" for the term to be suspended.
A deterrent to others was also necessary, he noted. He issued a restraining order until further notice. Evans must register as a sex offender.
