Hakin man guilty of sexually assaulting teen at castle

A 65-year-old man from Hakin has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl after a jury heard how he took her to a remote location on his motorbike.

Huw Bridges, of Haven Drive, stood trial at Swansea Crown Court facing two counts of sexual assault. The jury deliberated for around two-and-a-half hours before returning guilty verdicts on both charges.

The court heard that on June 2, 2024, Bridges took his victim to Carew Castle on his motorbike, where they went for a walk. Prosecutor Hannah George told the jury that despite the teenager trying to move away and telling him it made her feel uncomfortable, Bridges kissed her before going on to sexually touch her breasts and vagina over her clothing.

The victim reported what had happened to her parents almost immediately after returning home. It was at this point she also disclosed an earlier sexual assault by Bridges, which occurred between October 2020 and October 2021, when he touched her vagina over her clothing.

“The prosecution’s case is the defendant had a sexual interest in teenage girls,” Ms George told the court.

Bridges was arrested on June 14, 2024. During his police interview, he gave a prepared statement denying the sexual touching. Regarding the kiss, he claimed he put his arm around the complainant and “pecked her on the cheek to comfort her.”

“He denied it was sexual in nature,” the prosecutor explained to the jury.

Following the guilty verdicts, Judge Geraint Walters adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. Bridges was re-admitted to bail but must now register as a sex offender.

He will return to court to be sentenced on February 6.