Paedophile Sentenced for Preying on Four-Year-Old in Aldi Supermarket
A man has been jailed after he stalked a four-year-old boy in a supermarket, waiting for an opportunity to sexually assault him. Matthew Thomas, 29, followed the child and his family around the Aldi store in Caldicot before carrying out the attack, which has left the family traumatised and resorting to online shopping.
Planned and Persistent Assault
Newport Crown Court heard how Thomas behaved in a planned and persistent manner, closely trailing the victim and his grandfather for around 12 minutes. CCTV footage showed him touching the boy on multiple occasions inside the supermarket. Prosecuting barrister Andrew Davies described how the grandfather, distracted by shopping and caring for his granddaughter, did not initially notice Thomas lurking nearby.
The situation escalated when the family went to pay for their items. Thomas left the shop without buying anything and waited outside. As the grandfather attended to his granddaughter in the trolley area, he heard his grandson shout, "stop doing that". Turning around, he found Thomas just a foot away, sitting on a wall.
Victim's Bravery and Family Impact
When asked what happened, the four-year-old demonstrated how Thomas had pinched and pulled his shorts over his bottom and around the groin area. The boy also revealed that Thomas had touched his bottom inside the shop. Judge Carl Harrison commended the child's bravery, stating it was his actions that brought the offending to light.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, the boy's mother described the lifelong impact of the incident. "We have had sleepless nights for both myself and my husband. We would lie awake thinking how this could happen, how we could stop it," she said. The family has since moved to online shopping to avoid further risk, and the grandfather lost confidence in taking the children outdoors, affecting his time with them.
Sentencing and Previous Offences
Thomas, of Caldicot, pleaded guilty to a single count of assault by touching against a boy under 13. The court heard he had a relevant previous finding: in 2024, at Cardiff Crown Court, he received a supervision order for sexual assault of a male child under 13 and exposure in a food store in Cwmbran.
Judge Harrison noted that Thomas repeatedly followed the victim, targeting him specifically and waiting until the grandfather was distracted. He sentenced Thomas to 18 months in prison and imposed a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order against the victim.
Defence and Mitigation
Representing Thomas, Julia Cox stated her client expressed remorse and highlighted his difficult childhood, which included witnessing domestic violence and exploitation. She added that Thomas suffers from learning difficulties and mental disorders, factors considered during sentencing.
This case underscores the vulnerabilities in public spaces and the profound effects of such crimes on families, prompting calls for increased vigilance and support for victims of sexual assault.
