Kerry James Price, a 54-year-old computer expert from Ystradgynlais, was exposed as a child predator after a trial at Swansea Crown Court revealed a pattern of depraved sexual abuse against a young girl. Price, who had run computer repair shops in Ystradgynlais, Bridgend, and Dunvant in Swansea before working as an IT technician at Swansea University, began abusing his victim when she was approximately five or six years old, with the offences continuing into her teenage years. The abuse started with manipulative games, such as a 'coin flip' where Price would kiss the child based on the outcome, escalating to touching her genitals and breasts both over and under her clothing on multiple occasions, and coercing her to touch his penis. All incidents occurred in Swansea.
The case came to light when the victim disclosed the abuse to her grandmother, who informed her mother. Price was arrested in August 2023, and police seized his phone, which contained 25 indecent images of children, including five Category A images depicting the rape of young girls. Internet history on the device showed searches for terms like 'naughty schoolgirl nude'. Additionally, officers discovered dozens of unauthorised images of the victim, including bikini shots and an upskirting image taken without her consent. Price denied all allegations in interview, claiming the indecent images had accidentally transferred from an old customer device and that the victim had consented to the photos.
At trial, Price maintained his innocence, denying any sexual interest in children and asserting the assaults never occurred. However, a jury convicted him on 15 counts, including sexual assault of a child under 13, causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, sexual assault, making and possessing indecent images, voyeurism, and recording an image under clothing. In her impact statement, read by prosecution barrister Helen Randall, the victim described Price as a 'child predator' who 'thrived on control and grooming children', stating that the abuse had transformed her from a 'joyful, enthusiastic, kind and lively child' into someone who feels of 'very little value' and remains cautious around men.
Judge Paul Thomas KC, who presided over the trial, condemned Price's actions as 'utterly depraved' and diagnosed him with a 'deep-seated paedophilia' that predated the abuse of this victim. The judge noted Price's complete lack of remorse, describing his trial defence as 'at times bordered on farcical' and motivated by self-interest and self-pity rather than concern for others. Defence barrister Ian Wright highlighted Price's lack of prior convictions and good employment record, though his university job was lost. Despite this, the judge classified Price as a dangerous offender, imposing a 14-year extended sentence comprising nine years' custody and a five-year extended licence period, with eligibility for parole after serving two-thirds of the custodial term. An indefinite sexual harm prevention order was also issued.
Prior to these convictions, Price had a caution for common assault and criminal damage in 2006 related to an incident involving his long-term partner's affair. The case was investigated by South Wales Police, with reporting by Jason Evans for Wales Online on 23 September 2025.