Liam Hobbs (Image: South Wales Police)
Last Updated: 2 minutes ago
A 27-year-old man will spend more than six years behind bars after a jury rejected his denials over the sexual assault of a young girl.
Liam Hobbs, of Ely, Cardiff, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on September 2, 2026, to a combined custodial term of six years and two months, followed by a two-year extended licence period.
The sentence
Hobbs was given 14 months for possessing indecent images of children. On top of that, the court imposed a consecutive seven-year extended sentence for the assaults – five years in prison with a further two years on extended licence.
How the offences came to light
The case began when the girl came forward and told police about the historical sexual assaults she had suffered. Officers arrested Hobbs and seized his mobile phone and other devices for examination. That search turned up indecent images of children, and he was arrested again.
The charges
Hobbs pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent photographs of children. He denied two counts of assault by penetration on a girl under 13, but a jury found him guilty on July 1, 2026, at the end of a trial.
The victim’s words
In an impact statement, the victim said: “I feel relieved that justice has been done, and I was believed in court. I want to now get on with my life”.
Police reaction
Detective Constable Emma Partridge, the officer in the case for South Wales Police, said: “The victim was incredibly brave to share what happened to her and support the investigation.
“Her evidence at court was compelling and she should feel proud of herself.
“Hobb’s actions continue to have a huge impact on her life including panic attacks and difficulty sleeping.
“I hope the sentencing brings some comfort and allows her to regain confidence to move forward.”
