Bridgend Man Gets Suspended Sentence for Teen Sex Assault

A Bridgend man who sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl and then begged her not to tell anyone has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Grant Edwards, 33, was convicted by jury at Cardiff Crown Court of sexually assaulting the teenager in autumn 2022. The court heard how Edwards grabbed the girl by her body, pulled her towards him, and rubbed the upper part of her leg which he then pushed towards his genitals.

Judge Jonathan Elystan Rees said Edwards had been “aroused” by his actions and told the victim he was “hard” and asked if she “wanted to see”. The defendant also grabbed the girl’s joggers and pulled them away from her waist “so he could see her underwear”.

The court heard the teenager “courageously resisted” the prolonged assault before Edwards tried to convince her not to tell anyone about what happened. “But she did have the courage to tell people what you did to her,” Judge Rees told Edwards.

In her victim impact statement, the teenager said: “The fact he did this to me sickens me. I believe he could do this to others. I find it difficult now to trust men. For weeks I didn’t leave the house and I struggled to sleep. Although time has passed and I have come to terms with what happened I now think twice when I am out socialising with friends. This has had a significant impact on me.”

Edwards, of Heol-Y-Frenhines in Bridgend, maintained his innocence throughout but his defence barrister Alice Sykes said he “accepts the findings of the jury”. The probation service deemed him to be at a high risk of harming people in future.

Judge Rees told Edwards: “Your abuse of her will live with her forever. The court understands that even if you do not.”

Edwards was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment suspended for two years, must complete a 40-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also made subject to an indefinite restraining order preventing him from approaching the victim.