James Thomas, aged 37, of Tawe Street, Morriston, pleaded guilty to six charges relating to sexual activity with a girl aged between 13 and 15. The offences took place over a six-month period in 2012 and 2013, when Thomas was in his mid-20s and the victim was still in school.
Swansea Crown Court heard that Thomas groomed the girl through text messages before initiating sexual contact, with most of the abuse occurring at the garage in Morriston where he worked. On one occasion, the girl spent the night at the garage after telling her mother she was staying with friends. She later sat alone in a McDonald’s restaurant for hours before returning home.
The victim reported the abuse to police in 2023 after seeking advice from a member of an online support group. In her police interview, she described Thomas as “sexually aggressive” and said he had given her cigarettes and other items to gain her trust.
In a powerful impact statement read in court, the victim said the abuse had left her feeling “lonely, isolated and unworthy” and that Thomas had “robbed her of her innocence.” She described turning to cannabis and legal highs to cope with the trauma and said she now battles daily with her emotional health.
“The road to healing is a long one,” she said. “But I fight every day to reclaim my strength and hope that one day I will find peace.”
Thomas pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a child, one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a child. He has no previous convictions.
Detective Constable Amy Davies, of South Wales Police, praised the victim’s courage in coming forward.
“James Thomas took advantage of a child and knew that what he was doing was illegal,” she said. “His offences were completely unacceptable. We commend the bravery of the victim in reporting the offences, which cannot have been easy for her.
“If you have been the victim of any kind of sexual offence, do not suffer in silence. Report it to us via 101 and specially-trained officers will be able to support you. Always call 999 in an emergency.”
During sentencing, Judge Catherine Richards acknowledged psychological reports indicating that Thomas’ intellectual and emotional development was below average, but said this did not absolve him of responsibility.
“You knew what you were doing was wrong,” she told him.
Thomas was sentenced to four years and four months in prison, with up to half to be served in custody before release on licence. He will be placed on the sex offenders register for life.
