Newport man jailed over sexual assault and violence

A Newport man who carried out a series of violent and sexual offences against women has been locked up for more than two years.

Ryan Thomas, 25, from Shakespeare Crescent, stood before Newport Crown Court facing multiple charges spanning several months of criminal behaviour.

The court heard how Thomas committed attempted sexual assault by penetration against a woman on May 4, 2024. On the same day, he also assaulted her by beating.

Months later, on November 14, 2024, Thomas struck again – this time damaging the rear view mirror of a woman’s car and inflicting actual bodily harm on a woman. He was also charged with sharing an intimate photograph of a woman.

Thomas admitted guilt to the charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, criminal damage, and distributing the intimate image. However, he denied the assault by beating and attempted sexual assault by penetration from May.

Following a trial, a jury found him guilty of both offences he had contested.

Judge Celia Hughes handed Thomas a prison sentence of two years and five months. The severity of his crimes means he must now register as a sex offender for the next decade, and a five-year restraining order has been imposed to protect his victims.