Jonathan Leonard

A couple from Newport and Caldicot, described by the court as 'warped and perverted', were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their involvement in the sexual abuse of a young girl.

Ann Bray, 62, from Newport, and her boyfriend Jonathan Leonard, 58, from Caldicot, engaged in a prolonged 'campaign of rape' against the victim, who was used as a 'sex object'. The abuse included assaults during threesomes, with the girl being rewarded with money. Bray filmed the attacks and sent the videos to Leonard and other paedophiles, contributing to a catalogue of horrific offences discovered through an FBI interception of the material that had been distributed online.

The case came to light when authorities intercepted the explicit content, leading to investigations by Gwent Police. Both defendants admitted to a raft of sexual offences at Cardiff Crown Court. Judge Rowlands highlighted the severity of their actions, noting the profound impact on the victim. Bray and Leonard were each jailed for 23 years, resulting in a combined sentence of 46 years.

The prosecution detailed how the abuse occurred in Newport, emphasising the betrayal of trust and the grooming elements involved. Sources from the court proceedings, including statements from Gwent Police, underscored the determination to combat such child sex offences. The victim, whose identity remains protected, endured significant trauma as a result of the exploitation.