Dawei Zhang

A 32-year-old man from Towyn has been sentenced to three years in prison for the predatory sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl in Colwyn Bay. Dawei Zhang, who had been living in Britain since arriving on a study visa in 2009, was found guilty by a jury at Caernarfon Crown Court despite denying the charges. The incident occurred in July 2014, when the victim was walking alone to meet friends on the beach.

The court heard that Zhang followed the teenager before molesting her. As she attempted to flee, he grabbed her bag and clothes, pulling her back towards him. Fortunately, the brave young woman managed to break free and escape. Judge Philip Harris-Jenkins described Zhang's behaviour as 'nothing short of predatory', noting, 'When she tried to escape, you grabbed her bag and clothes and pulled her back towards you. Fortunately, she was able to break away from you and escape. How much further you would have gone, you only know.'

The victim, whose identity is protected, demonstrated remarkable quick thinking by activating a voice recorder on her mobile phone during the attack, providing crucial evidence for the prosecution. In a victim impact statement read to the court, she detailed the lasting effects of the ordeal, including suffering from panic attacks and recurring bad dreams. The judge commended her courage, stating, 'I was impressed by your quick-witted decision to record the events that unfolded. You are a brave young woman and a credit to your family.'

Following his conviction, Zhang, of Llys Madoc in Towyn, must register as a sex offender for life. The case was reported by the Rhyl Journal on 28 January 2016, highlighting the severity of sexual offences in the region and the importance of victim testimony in securing justice.