Ebbw Vale man jailed for sexual offences

Joel Gillard, 30, was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison after being found guilty at Cardiff Crown Court.

An Ebbw Vale man has received a sentence of nine years and eight months in prison after being found guilty in court.

Joel Gillard, 30, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday 8 August where he pled guilty to 12 sex offences, including:

• two counts of causing or inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity
• four counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• sexual communication with a child under 16
• causing a child to watch a sexual act
• three counts of making indecent images of children
• possessing extreme pornographic images.

When arrested, Gillard had 602 indecent images of children ranging from category A to category C.

Detective Constable Samantha Davies, the officer in the case, said:

"Gillard pretended to be a teenage boy online with the sole purpose of targeting, grooming and exploiting children into committing acts for his own sexual gratification.

"He did not know his victims, nor did he meet them but used social media to find children across the country who he would later abuse.

"Without the brave testimony of Gillard's victims, we would not have been able to bring him before the courts to face justice for his actions. They have shown tremendous courage, resilience, and strength throughout the investigation and court process, including giving vital evidence in court.

“Gillard is a dangerous man, and he presents a real danger to children and young people.

"Our police online investigation team is committed to tackling digital-enabled crimes, identifying and targeting offenders while working with partner agencies to safeguard those at risk.

“The sentence handed down by the court indicates how valuable their work is at keeping young people safe online.

“We also hope this outcome shows other victims that they will be listened to, believed and respected. We take all allegations of this nature very seriously and if a report is made to us, we investigate it thoroughly.

“We want to reassure anyone considering doing so that there is a whole range of support out there; not only from Gwent Police but from partner agencies who can help you through the entire process.

“We would like to remind parents and carers to be vigilant of their children’s online activities and have open conversations surrounding the dangers of speaking with strangers online. Our advice being, never share personal information, including photographs online.”

Gillard was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison and will remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

He was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for the next 25 years.