Benjamin Griffiths

Benjamin Griffiths, an 85-year-old former teacher from Aberystwyth, has been released from prison after serving just 18 months of a three-year sentence for historic sex offences committed against a child. The offences, which took place in 1995 or 1996, involved Griffiths, who was in his 50s at the time, assaulting an eight-year-old girl named Holly. He was convicted on five counts of indecent assault and one count of gross indecency, with the sentences served concurrently. Additionally, he received seven days for failure to surrender to court.

The case came to light when Holly Marie Grady-Ellis, now 37, bravely came forward in 2021 to report the abuse she suffered as a child. Griffiths' trial in 2024 was marked by his obstructive behaviour; he dismissed four solicitors and chose to represent himself, leading to multiple delays. He missed several hearings, resulting in the judge remanding him in custody for months prior to the trial. During the proceedings, Griffiths goaded Holly's mother while she gave evidence, prompting the judge to order him to remain silent.

This conviction adds to Griffiths' prior criminal history. In 2005, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the rape of another nine-year-old girl. Notably, he made national headlines at that time by absconding to Germany on the last day of his trial. Following his most recent sentencing, Griffiths was placed on the Sex Offenders Register and subjected to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, requiring him to notify local police of any address changes.

Released on licence on 30 October 2025, Griffiths is prohibited from returning to Aberystwyth or the victim's area and is under strict supervision by the Probation Service until December 2025, residing in supported housing. Despite these measures, Holly expressed profound fear and fury in a statement to Cambrian News: "Despite numerous licences put in place regarding him and the conditions of his release, the fact remains that after just 18 short months, he is free on our streets again. I'm worried and not just for myself but for any children that may live or go to school in his vicinity when he is housed. I fear he will reoffend as soon as he can, and I believe he still poses a threat to the general public." She waived her right to anonymity to raise awareness, highlighting her concerns that Griffiths might approach or harm her again.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson responded: "This was an appalling crime, and our thoughts remain with the victim. Offenders released on licence are subject to strict licence conditions and we do not hesitate to recall them to custody if they break the rules." The case was investigated by Dyfed-Powys Police, underscoring the ongoing risks posed by such offenders even after release.