Ystradgynlais man jailed for decade of child sexual abuse

Court case

Kerry James Price, 53, of Tan y Farteg, Ystradgynlais, was convicted of 15 sexual offences following a trial at Swansea Crown Court. The offending began when the victim was around five years old and continued into her teenage years.

Price, who previously ran computer repair shops in Ystradgynlais, Bridgend and Dunvant before working as an IT technician at Swansea University, denied all the allegations but was found guilty by a jury.

He was sentenced to an extended 14‑year term — comprising nine years in custody and a further five years on licence — and made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Pattern of abuse

The court heard how Price manipulated his victim with “games” before escalating to repeated sexual assaults. He also secretly took indecent photographs, including so‑called “upskirting” images, and was found with 25 indecent images of children on his phone, including Category A material.

The abuse came to light after the victim disclosed what had happened to her grandmother, who then informed her mother. Police arrested Price in August 2023.

Police statement

Detective Constable Stuart Sandy of South Wales Police said:

“Kerry Price showed no remorse at all for his actions, as is evidenced with his not guilty pleas. He thought he could get away with what he had done, but he was proven badly wrong.

He abused his victim for a period not far off a decade, starting when they were a young child. What he has done is sickening and will have been a horrendously traumatic experience for both the victim and her family. The victim and her family showed great strength by giving evidence at trial, compared to the defendant, whose defence the judge said, ‘at times bordered on the farcical’.

Prison is the right place for him, and it is great to see him get an extended sentence.”

Judge’s remarks

Sentencing, Judge Paul Thomas KC described Price’s behaviour as “utterly depraved” and said he had “not a scintilla of remorse”. He told the defendant he was motivated entirely by self‑interest, adding: “All you have is a deep well of self pity.”

Victim impact

In a statement read to the court, the victim described Price as a “child predator” who thrived on control and grooming. She said the abuse had robbed her of her childhood and left her constantly looking over her shoulder.

Author

Kit Peters

Kit Peters is a journalist and the editor of Swansea Bay News, covering Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire since 2020.