Cwmavon man jailed for child sex offences

A man from Cwmavon has been handed a 23‑year extended sentence after being found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting three boys, the youngest aged just five.

Guilty verdict at Swansea Crown Court

Joshua Jones, aged 32, of Heol Cwm Mawr, denied all charges but was convicted following a trial at Swansea Crown Court. He was found guilty of rape of a boy under 13, five counts of sexual assault of a boy under 13 by touching, and causing a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Judge Catherine Richards said Jones had shown “predatory and grooming behaviour” towards his victims, including giving them gifts and vapes, and ruled he was a dangerous offender who required an extended sentence to protect the public.

Sentence and restrictions

Jones was sentenced to 19 years in custody with a further four years on licence. He must serve at least two‑thirds of the custodial term before being considered for release, and only if the Parole Board is satisfied he is no longer a risk.

He will remain on the sex offenders register for life and is subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order restricting his access to children.

Devastating impact on victims

The court heard powerful victim impact statements from the families of the three boys.

One mother said her son had gone from being an “outgoing, open and trusting” child to someone who now trusted no‑one and questioned everyone’s motives. Another described how her son had “completely shut down” after the abuse, while a third said it was as if “all the colour and joy” had been taken from her child’s life.

Police statement

Detective Constable Samantha Lewis of South Wales Police said:

“Joshua Jones callously took advantage of three boys in the most sickening of ways. He robbed them of the innocent years of their childhood. This was no isolated incident; this was a number of occasions where Jones perpetrated horrendous crimes upon his child victims. He is rightfully going to be locked up in prison for a significant period of time.”

She added that police recognised how difficult it was for survivors of sexual abuse to come forward, but hoped the case would reassure victims that they would be listened to, treated with dignity and supported through the judicial process.

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#ChildAbuse #childPredator #Cwmavon #grooming #SexOffender #sexualAssault #SouthWalesPolice

Revamped sports courts boost community access across South West Wales

A Welsh Government-backed initiative is transforming outdated tennis courts into modern basketball and netball spaces across South West Wales, with new facilities already open in Maesteg, Port Talbot, Cwmafan and Haverfordwest.

The upgrades are part of Sport Wales’s Court Collaboration Fund, which has invested over £1.4 million since 2022 to improve sports infrastructure in 12 local authorities. The fund supports the Welsh Government’s wider £41 million commitment to community and elite sports facilities, including £10.1 million earmarked for 2025–26.

Local impact: Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire

Two newly refurbished courts opened this week at Maesteg Welfare Park in Bridgend County, converting former tennis courts into vibrant basketball and netball zones with multi-coloured surfacing, line markings and new court furniture.

In Neath Port Talbot, recent investments have upgraded courts at Port Talbot Memorial Park (£73,745), Parc y Llyn in Cwmafan (£77,384), and Ystalyfera (£121,182), creating inclusive spaces for team sports and youth engagement.

Pembrokeshire has also benefited, with £12,501 allocated to Ysgol Caer Elen in Haverfordwest to support court transformation and expand local access to basketball and netball.

Jack Sargeant, Minister for Sport, said: “The Court Collaboration Fund exemplifies how working together strategically to invest in the right facilities in the right places can maximise the impact for local communities. They’re more than courts — they’re catalysts for community cohesion, youth development and improved wellbeing.”

He added: “With the £10 million allocated for sports infrastructure, we’re building the foundation for a healthier, more active Wales where geography and background are no barrier to sporting participation.”

Supporting grassroots sport

The refurbished courts are designed to increase participation, enable coaching programmes, and support new teams. Governing bodies are working with schools and community groups to embed sport into daily life and ensure facilities are accessible to all.

Other funded sites include Caedu Park in Ogmore Vale (£84,750), further strengthening Bridgend’s multi-sport offering, and several locations across Monmouthshire, Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent.

The Court Collaboration Fund continues to support projects that repurpose underused spaces and promote inclusive, team-based physical activity across Wales.

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#Aberavon #basketball #CaeduPark #CourtCollaborationFund #Cwmavon #Haverfordwest #Maesteg #MaestegWelfarePark #netball #OgmoreVale #ParcYLlyn #PortTalbot #PortTalbotMemorialPark #SportWales #tennis #WelshGovernment #YsgolCaerElen #Ystalyfera

Former solider handed extended sentence for raping two women

Swansea Crown court heard that two teenagers, aged 17 and 18 were drunk when Sutton raped them and that he plied one of the teenagers with alcohol to increase her level of intoxication – one of whom woke up while she was being raped.

35-year-old Johnathan Sutton, who now lives in Walsall, pleaded not guilty to the offences, which took place in June and August 2021 in Cwmavon, at an address where Sutton was living at the time.

However, he was found guilty at Swansea Crown Court, and has been sentenced this week.

Judge Catherine Richards described Sutton as a “large, imposing man” in his 30s, while his victims were petite in stature. Judge Richards said Sutton had tried to “manipulate” the victims after the rape, claiming they had initiated the sexual contact.

Sutton was described by the judge as a “calculating, manipulating individual” who was capable of exhibiting “uncontrollable behaviour”.

Sutton was handed an extended 18-year sentence for two counts of rape against the two victims.

Detective Constable Gary Willis-Hill from South Wales Police said: “Johnathan Sutton was clearly a dangerous man who preyed upon victims when he felt he was in a position of control upon them.

“By pleading not guilty to these crimes, he has shown that he has no remorse for his actions, and the impact which his actions have had upon the lives and wellbeing of his victims.

“He is now going to be behind bars for a very considerable amount of time.”

#Cwmavon #PortTalbot #rape #SouthWalesPolice