Pembrokeshire man jailed for attempted rape of mother and daughter while on family walk
A man has been jailed for 16 years after attempting to rape a woman and her young child on a cycle path near Haverfordwest.
Anthony Williams, 43, of Hill Street, Haverfordwest threatened to harm the woman’s children unless she submitted to him.
Swansea Crown Court heard the attacks took place in broad daylight on the 17th May earlier this year.
Robin Rouch, prosecuting, said the mother and her children were out walking when they passed an ‘’unkempt’’ stranger, a man now known as Anthony Williams.
The defendant followed the family, demanding the mother to remove her clothing before threatening to harm her children. One threat included throwing one of her children into the nearby river unless she did what he wanted.
Williams pleaded guilty of attempted rape when he appeared in the dock for his sentencing.
The judge, Geraint Walters, described the attack as ‘’unspeakably bad’’ adding that only an extended sentence was appropriate to protect the public from this dangerous offender.
Defending Williams, Dyfed Thomas said the defendant’s guilty pleas showed remorse.
Williams was sentenced to a 24-year extended sentence comprising 16 years in custody followed by an eight-year licence period. He was also made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
Williams will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.
The court heard Williams had a drink problem and had spent between £300 and £400 on alcohol days before the incident.
Judge Walters said Williams had subjected his victims to a terrifying ordeal which would leave a life-long impact on them.
In a statement, the mother described the devastating emotional impact of the attack and said that the events of the day will ‘’haunt’’ her forever. She added, "Heart-breaking doesn't even begin to cover it".
Michael Jenkin, a senior Crown prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service said it was a "truly despicable crime’’ that must have been ‘’terrifying for the victims.’’
He added: ‘’No one should have to face what the victims were put through. The mother showed great courage in doing all that she could to minimise the harm to her children."
Detective Chief Inspector Cameron Ritchie of Dyfed Powys Police welcomed the sentence,
“This was a horrific attack, during which the defendant tried multiple times to rape a mother and her very young child. For the mother in particular, it was a terrifying experience – not only going through the trauma of being assaulted herself, but to see her daughter being treated in this despicable way.
“I would like to thank the victims and their family for the bravery and dignity they have shown during our investigation. I would also like to thank the members of the public who assisted the victims at the time and who assisted the police investigation. Their assistance was invaluable.
“I now hope this sentence gives the victims the justice they deserve, and hopefully some closure to move on with their lives.
“Dyfed-Powys Police will not tolerate violence against women and girls and hopefully the outcome in this case will give confidence to victims to come forward. We will take you seriously and support you as we work to bring offenders to justice.”