Man jailed 16 years for Vale of Glamorgan sex assaults

Stephen Heap has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for sexual assaults on a female in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The 58-year-old, of Chadderton, Oldham, denied the offences but was found guilty following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court in June 2025.

Heap was convicted of nine offences – four indecent assaults, two sexual assaults, assault of a child by penetration, sexual activity with a child and assault by penetration.

His offences were reported to South Wales Police when a victim bravely came forward in 2020. Witnesses were traced across the UK as part of a thorough and protracted investigation.

He was sentenced at Merthyr Crown Court on November 7, 2025, to 16 years in prison plus a one-year extended licence.

In a statement to the court, the victim described experiencing nightmares, feeling isolated, and ‘unable to trust anyone’, because of Heap’s actions.

Officer in the case Detective Constable Stephen Jenkins, from South Wales Police, said: “Justice would not have been obtained had it not been for the immense strength, courage and resilience demonstrated by the victim throughout the five-year period comprising of the investigation and the court process.

“I hope that the outcome at court allows the victim to find some peace and live the life that she deserves.”