Cardiff man jailed for prostitution ring and child abuse images

⚖️ A Cardiff man who used a dating app to recruit vulnerable men from abroad to work as prostitutes has been jailed for 45 months.

Dafydd Evans, 61, of The Hayes, Cathays, made around £40,000 from his illicit operation, which saw him contact men from Ukraine and Brazil on Grindr and employ them at his massage parlour in Cardiff. Operating under the guise of a legitimate business, Evans exploited the men by taking 50% of their earnings.

🚨 Evans was also found in possession of indecent images of young boys and had planned to travel to Turkey to meet young boys prior to his arrest.

A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Monday heard that Evans advertised massages and sexual services from his employees online, including prices and sexual acts available to customers. He provided the premises for sexual acts to take place, along with equipment such as condoms and lubricant. Money passed through bank accounts he owned in the name of businesses “StickyBirds.com” and “Adore Vanilla”.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Jeremy Jenkins said: “The jury were shown forms of advertising. Not only did it show the advertising of sexual acts on offer but reassurances the business was well established, discreet and safe. You advertised yourself as the controller of the masseuses, said you were an experienced and legitimate man who was good at the task you were involved in. You had a number of men who worked for you. In reality, you were as the jury has found you to be, no more than a common pimp.”

Judge Jenkins continued: “You preyed on the gullibility and vulnerability of men from countries who are far less prosperous than ours and exploited them for financial and sexual reasons.”

The judge said he had “no doubt” Evans was a paedophile, following his conviction for possessing indecent images of prepubescent boys engaging in sexual activity with each other and with adults. The court heard Evans had planned to travel to Turkey prior to his arrest in order to meet young boys. Judge Jenkins said this “suggested a predatory aspect to his character”.

Evans was convicted of controlling prostitution for gain, possession of indecent images, and possession of criminal property. The court heard he has one previous conviction for causing death by dangerous driving.

In mitigation, defence barrister Alice Sykes said her client had become a mentor in prison, helping other inmates to read and write, and had become a “Welsh champion” on the wing.

Concluding his sentencing remarks, Judge Jenkins said: “(The jury) were not fooled by your character and saw through your thin veneer of lies.”

Evans was sentenced to a total of 45 months imprisonment. He was also made subject to sex offender notification requirements and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.