Man jailed for predatory behaviour towards child in park

A 41-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after exposing himself near a children’s play area and engaging in sexual offences against a young boy.

Daniel James Thyer, also known as Daniel David, of Brangwyn Close, Morriston, was arrested in February after a woman witnessed him masturbating on a grass bank near the playground in Morriston Park. The woman called police after seeing Thyer with his trousers around his ankles, holding his mobile phone in one hand whilst pleasuring himself with the other. 😡

Swansea Crown Court heard there were no children in the play area at the time, but two teenage boys were cycling nearby. When arrested, Thyer claimed he was there to “meet somebody” and had been “adjusting his trousers”.

Police examination of his phone revealed contact with a young boy, including messages about masturbation. The child disclosed multiple incidents where Thyer had put his hands down his trousers, pushed his erect penis into him from behind over his clothes, and touched his bottom. The defendant had also given the boy vapes, money and energy drinks.

In a victim statement, the child said he now suffers sleepless nights and feels “uncomfortable” around grown men, adding that he “keeps himself to himself” at school.

Defence barrister Charlotte Surley said Thyer had learning difficulties and a pre-sentence report suggested he may have an “emotional congruence” with children.

Judge Huw Rees told the court: “There was clear evidence of grooming behaviour in the offending and the defendant had engaged in predatory sexual behaviour.”

Thyer pleaded guilty to exposure, four counts of sexual activity with a child, and one count of sexual activity with a child. He received a one-third discount for his guilty pleas and was also made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. He will be a registered sex offender for the same period.