Rhodri Llyr Griffiths, a 28-year-old man from Neath Abbey, Neath Port Talbot, was sentenced at Newport Crown Court for a series of sexual offences against a 13-year-old girl. The incident occurred last year when Griffiths used a fake Snapchat account under the name 'James Davies' to contact the victim while she was home alone. Despite not knowing the person, the girl accepted the friend request and was bombarded with sexualised messages, including an offer of up to £750 for performing oral sex, which she refused.
Griffiths requested a photo of the victim, who disclosed her age as 13. To gain her trust, he sent a video of a man claiming to be himself. When the victim expressed concern about his identity, asking 'How do I know you're not a serial killer?', he reassured her. The victim mentioned wanting a bottle of vodka for a party, leading Griffiths to arrange a meeting that night. He purchased the vodka from an Asda store and arrived near her home in his car.
The victim, dressed in pyjamas, approached the vehicle after receiving a photo of it. Upon entering the passenger side, she realised the driver was not the man from the video but Griffiths himself. Confused, she asked if she had the wrong car, but he dismissed her concerns saying 'It's fine, it's fine'. As she demanded to be let out, he locked the doors, handed her the vodka, and drove off, telling her they were 'going for a drive'.
Griffiths took her to the car park at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr hospital in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly. There, he instructed her to move to the back seat, which she did out of fear for her life. Smiling, he joined her in the back, sexually assaulted her, and then raped her before returning to the driver's seat and driving back. During the return journey, he laughed mockingly, saying: 'I bet you won't meet up with anyone else anytime soon'. He dropped her off outside her home with the vodka bottle.
Traumatised, the victim ran inside, deleted the fake account, and initially confided only in a friend. Days later, she broke down and told her mother, who contacted the police. Griffiths was arrested the next day. In his police interview, he falsely claimed the contact was consensual and denied intercourse, but later pleaded guilty to rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault, and sexual communication with a child.
The court heard Griffiths was of previous good character but posed a high risk of serious harm to female children. Judge Daniel Williams rejected claims of remorse, stating: 'You were clearly enjoying what you were putting her through... You planned this and intended to use alcohol to facilitate the offence. You have caused severe psychological harm in a prolonged incident.' The victim and her mother provided harrowing personal statements detailing the devastating impact, including the girl's suicide attempt, severe mental health struggles, and the mother's overwhelming guilt and emotional breakdown.
Sentencing occurred on 22 February 2024, with Griffiths receiving 10 years and six months' imprisonment, plus a five-year extended licence period. He must serve two-thirds before parole eligibility and is subject to indefinite sex offender notifications, a 15-year sexual harm prevention order, and a restraining order.