Nathan Berry, 38, from Llantwit Major in the Vale of Glamorgan, has been sentenced for sexually assaulting one child and taking indecent images of others. South Wales Police said Berry targeted non-verbal children and betrayed their parents "in the most dreadful way".
Arrest and investigation
Berry was arrested in March after police found images of children on his phone. He provided officers with the names of the children pictured. A South Wales Police spokesperson said: "Officers visited the children’s parents who identified their children, who are non-verbal, from the photographs."
While Berry was on remand, his phone was further examined. Evidence was found showing he had sexually touched a child aged under 13.
Court hearing and sentence
Berry, of Heol Croeso in Llantwit Major, admitted four counts of taking indecent photographs, two of making indecent images, one of possessing prohibited images, and one sexual assault of a child. Cardiff Crown Court heard he targeted two children due to their vulnerabilities.
He was handed an extended sentence of eight years comprising five years and four months in prison, with the remainder to be served on licence.
Protective orders
A South Wales Police spokesperson said: "To further protect the victims and others, Berry is also subject of a restraining order and sexual harm prevention order (SHPO)." As part of the SHPO, he is banned from having any unsupervised contact or communication of any kind with any child under the age of 16.
The officer in the case, DC Julie Lewis, said: “Nathan Berry betrayed the trust of these children and their parents in the most dreadful way. We hope the outcome at court goes some way in helping them to rebuild their ability to trust and feel safe again. This investigation demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding vulnerable people."
