US Man Jailed for Grooming Welsh Teen in Marriage Plot

A 44-year-old American man has been jailed after flying to the UK with wedding rings, planning to “marry” a Welsh schoolgirl he had groomed online. 💔

Jacob Ewing from North Carolina was arrested immediately upon arrival at Cardiff International Airport after US officials alerted British authorities to his plans.

Newport Crown Court heard how Ewing initially told his 15-year-old victim from Caerphilly county that he was a “paedophile hunter” and Christian after they met online.

The court was told Ewing would make the girl perform “degrading” acts on webcam for his sexual pleasure, causing her significant distress.

“The relationship caused her a great deal of suffering and she began crying a lot to herself,” prosecutor Ieuan Bennett told the court. “The contact was overwhelming – there were literally thousands of calls she did not answer.”

When police searched Ewing’s bags, they found child abuse films on his laptop, including one showing a baby being anally raped. He was also carrying a knife and a wooden cosh.

In her victim impact statement, the girl said: “He would use the webcam as if it were a game.”

Ewing, who had become obsessed with the girl and tattooed her initials on his chest, admitted charges including causing a girl 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity, possession of indecent photographs of a child, and possession of an offensive weapon in public.

Judge Celia Hughes told him: “I cannot imagine what would have happened if you had been allowed to meet your victim. It is very fortunate that you were stopped at the airport. You seem to have little grip on reality. You are delusional.”

He was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison and may be deported to the USA during his sentence.

Detective Superintendent Philip O’Connell from Gwent Police said: “Ewing struck up a relationship with a 15-year-old girl online, grooming and exploiting her for over a year before travelling thousands of miles to meet her.

“Working closely with US authorities and UK Border Force he was detained at Cardiff Airport before being arrested and interviewed by our officers.

“The collaboration between agencies meant Ewing was intercepted before he was able to cause any physical harm to the victim.

“However, his actions driven by his sexual gratification and the fear he imposed on his victim, will have a profound impact.

“We’d like to commend the victim in this case, who’s shown strength and great fortitude throughout the investigation and hope that today’s sentence helps in processing and moving forward with her life.

“We welcome the sentence imposed on Ewing and encourage anyone with any concerns or anyone who may think they are a victim of grooming or exploitation to come forward, safe in the knowledge that reports will be taken seriously and handled professionally and compassionately by our officers like in this case.”