Newport Student Jailed 9 Years for Home Break-ins

A former Newport student has been sentenced to nine years after breaking into homes in Swansea and committing sexual offences whilst at university.

Evan Powell, 21, from Rogerstone, was found guilty of prowling the streets in the early hours of October 31 last year, entering or attempting to enter four houses in the Brynmill area. Inside one home, a woman woke to find Powell masturbating just feet from her bed.

The victim told Swansea Crown Court: “It has had a massive impact on my family. It has made me nervous at night. I have had trouble sleeping. Our home should be a safe place.”

Powell denied the charges and claimed he was looking for people and a lost mobile phone – which Judge Paul Thomas KC dismissed as “ludicrous”.

The ex-Swansea University student was found guilty of three offences of trespassing with intent to commit a sexual offence and one charge of attempted trespassing following a trial in May.

The court heard Powell had previous cautions for sexual assault, including an incident where he groped a woman in Swansea. When asked about his offending, Powell said it was “no big deal” and that “everyone gets groped sexually on student nights out”.

Judge Thomas told Powell: “Your conduct that night, entering or trying to enter four separate houses, was sexually motivated. It was behaviour of an extremely sinister nature. You prowled the streets looking for opportunities for non-consensual sexual activity. Throughout this, you have demonstrated not one iota of remorse.”

Powell was sentenced to an extended nine-year sentence – five years imprisonment plus four years extended licence. He must register as a sex offender for life and was given a 10-year restraining order 🔒