Leon Kidner (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)
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A man who raped a teenage girl in a caravan during her family holiday has been jailed for 10 years.
Leon Kidner, 34, attacked the 15-year-old at a site in Pendine, Carmarthenshire, after giving her cannabis and knowing she had consumed alcohol.
The attack
Swansea Crown Court heard that in the early hours of the morning, Kidner sexually assaulted the girl before raping her. Prosecutor Christopher Rees KC told the court the victim was in an intoxicated state at the time of the attack.
A forensic examination later indicated that Kidner had ejaculated inside his victim.
Lies to police and jury
After the attack was reported to police, Kidner claimed in interview that the girl had started the sexual activity and that it had been consensual. He repeated that account at trial – but a jury rejected his version of events and convicted him of two counts of sexual assault by penetration and one count of rape.
Victim’s words
In a statement read to the court, the victim said the rape had left her feeling “violated” and “like something was taken away from me”.
She said she struggles to sleep and suffers with nightmares, and that her schoolwork has suffered. She told the court she found it difficult to talk to anyone about what happened as “nobody truly understands what I have been through”.
She added: “I feel hollow and unstable. Every day feels like a struggle to feel normal again.”
The girl said what happened in the caravan had affected all aspects of her life – her relationships, her education, her well-being, and how she sees herself.
Sentencing
Kidner, of Castell Toch Caravan Park, Pendine, has 34 previous convictions for 71 offences including violence and robbery, though none of a sexual nature.
His barrister Lowri Wyn Morgan told the court her client was “deeply sorry” for the pain and suffering he had caused, and that problems at home had seen him “passed between family members” while growing up. She said he had left school at 14 and that drink and drugs had affected much of his adult life.
The court heard Kidner now accepts his guilt and had described what happened in Pendine as “one huge mistake”.
Judge Geraint Walters told the defendant that the “wickedness” of this type of offending was that it “leaves a life-long scar” on victims, and leaves them feeling violated.
Kidner was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life and was made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order to manage his access to girls.
Police response
Speaking after sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable Katie Rees of Dyfed-Powys Police said: “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the victim in this case who showed profound courage from the very outset of the investigation, despite her young age.
“The victim showed immense strength, character and resilience and should be proud of how she has conducted herself throughout the investigation. It is thanks to her bravery that Leon Kidner will now spend a significant period in prison.
“I welcome the sentence passed today, which highlights the seriousness of the offences. While it cannot undo the harm caused, it will hopefully provide the victim with a degree of closure.”
