Reginald Williams

Reginald Williams, also known as Reginald Kersey, a 71-year-old man from Maes Y Plas in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court on 17 December for breaching the terms of his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) for the second time. Williams, who has prior convictions for rape, sexual assault, and possessing illegal images, is subject to the SHPO until May 2030. The order prohibits him from having contact with anyone under the age of 16, except in situations that are reasonably unavoidable or with explicit consent from the child's parents and approval from social services.

In March, Williams disclosed that he had breached this condition. During a subsequent police interview, he made full admissions but claimed a lack of knowledge about the SHPO's terms. However, the court noted that the conditions had been read out to him during his previous conviction for breaching the order in 2018. Prosecutor Emmalyne Downing outlined Williams's criminal history, which includes four previous convictions for 14 offences, all related to sexual misconduct.

Defence representative John Wyn Williams argued that Williams had the good sense to plead guilty and emphasised that nothing untoward occurred during the instances of contact with the children. He stated, "The beauty of this hearing is that there can now be no doubt in his mind this order is in place until May 27, 2030." Despite this, Judge Nicola Jones expressed grave concerns about Williams, describing him as a paedophile and highlighting the risk of serious harm to children due to his previous convictions.

Sentencing Williams to two years' imprisonment suspended for the same period, Judge Jones remarked, "I would very much appreciate the police watching this man like a hawk. I’m not buying that he doesn’t know the terms of the order. He’s breached it twice. It’s up to him to know what the terms of the order are." She placed him on the cusp of immediate imprisonment and ordered him to complete 15 days of rehabilitation activity and a 26-session accredited programme. The case was reported by the North Wales Chronicle, with coverage from reporter Matthew Chandler.