Shaun Canavan, a 55-year-old former nightclub bouncer and digger driver from Cardiff, has been described by the court as a 'highly dangerous paedophile' and serial sexual abuser of children. His latest conviction stems from a campaign of sexual abuse against two young girls, carried out over a five-year period in Caerphilly County, Wales. The offences, which pre-date his 2016 conviction for abusing another child, involved multiple indecent assaults on primary school-age victims in various locations, including a public swimming pool, a car park of a working men's club, a shed, his vehicle, and a building site during the construction of a housing estate.
Cardiff Crown Court heard that Canavan's actions had a 'nothing short of devastating' impact on his victims, affecting every aspect of their lives. In victim impact statements read to the court, one girl described how Canavan took away her innocence and happiness, filling her life with fear, shame, and disgust. She questioned what kind of woman she might have become without the abuse, which she said was used for his 'monstrous sexual gratification'. The second victim detailed severe post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, alcohol and drug misuse, and multiple suicide attempts resulting from the trauma.
Canavan, formerly of Llandaff Road in Cardiff, pleaded guilty to 34 counts of indecent assault of a child at the earliest opportunity. Two of these counts were specimen charges representing 24 separate assaults on one victim over a year. He has 40 previous convictions for 121 offences, including violence and sexual offending against children. In 2016, he received a 20-year extended sentence as a dangerous offender for sexually abusing a girl under 13, along with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and lifelong registration on the sex offenders register. The current offences came to light after his 2016 conviction and were reported to Gwent Police.
During sentencing on 21 June 2024, Judge Paul Hobson remarked that Canavan had prioritised his own sexual urges over any sense of humanity or decency, harbouring 'warped thinking' about young girls for many years. The judge noted the psychological devastation caused to the victims and praised their bravery in coming forward despite the great cost to their wellbeing. Defence counsel Joshua Scouller highlighted Canavan's guilty pleas and remorse as mitigation.
Considering the maximum sentences applicable at the time of the offences, Canavan's existing lengthy prison term, and the principle of totality, Judge Hobson imposed a 10-year extended sentence as a dangerous offender, comprising seven years in custody and three years on licence, to run consecutively with the 2016 sentence. This results in an effective 30-year extended sentence with 22 years in custody and eight years on licence. Canavan can apply for release in late 2030 or early 2031, but the Parole Board will decide, potentially requiring him to serve until 2038. The judge criticised the 'inexcusable' delay in the case and described the prosecution's preparation as 'shambolic'.
Source: Wales Online, 21 June 2024, reporting on proceedings at Cardiff Crown Court.