Barry couple guilty of raping girls over three decades

A husband and wife - dubbed the 'Fred and Rose West' of Barry - have been convicted of raping and indecently assaulting young girls over three decades.

Avril Griffiths, 61, and her husband Pete Griffiths, 65, repeatedly sexually abused three young girls between the 1970's and 1990s.

Cardiff Crown Court was told how Avril Griffiths groomed the victims for her husband before the abuse took place at their home address, in their van, and on a boat where others were present.

One victim said she had been 'passed around like a sex toy' since being raped by Griffiths as a teenager, while another said she felt 'broken'.

The court heard the couple gave one girl vodka before forcing her to pose for indecent photos with them while they were naked.

They both denied rape, indecent assault and taking indecent photographs of a child but were found guilty on all counts.

South Wales Police said the three victims showed 'immense strength and courage' throughout the investigation:

The Crown Prosecution Service said Avril and Pete Griffiths showed 'no regard' for the welfare of the children they abused and treated them as 'objects'.

Following the conviction, NSPCC Cymru called it a 'disturbing and appalling case'.

Avril Griffiths and Peter Griffiths will be sentenced next month.