In 2024, a convicted Abergele Paedophile sex offender, Arfon Griffiths, who employed many names to communicate with youngsters, was incarcerated.
Arfon Griffiths, 44, of Ger-y-Mor, Pensarn, Abergele, Conwy, received a three-year prison sentence at Caernarfon Crown Court today (March 15).
He had previously confessed to multiple violations of his sexual harm prevention order, two crimes of noncompliance with sex offender registration notification requirements, and one charge of attempted sexual communication with a minor.
During the prosecution, David Mainstone informed the court that Arfon Griffiths was designated a convicted sex offender in 2013, when he was incarcerated for inciting minors to participate in sexual behaviour.
This conviction resulted in his imposition of a sexual harm prevention order.
On February 17, 2023, under the alias “Liam Williams,” he transmitted a sequence of messages via social media to a female, thereby violating the injunction.
On March 9, 2023, police arrived at Arfon Griffiths’ residence and confiscated a mobile phone located beneath a mattress.
The examination of the phone revealed that Arfon Griffiths had been conversing with four other girls, to whom he claimed to be a 17-year-old, online.
For three of the four girls, the communication was non-sexual, succinct, and elicited minimal response, although Arfon Griffiths did commend their appearances.
But communication was sexual with the fourth girl, who was described as being “extremely vulnerable”.
Arfon Griffiths complimented her on her cleavage, told her she would be “amazing in bed”, and asked her to send him a “sexy pic”.
In communicating with four of these girls, Arfon Griffiths used another name, “Lee Jones” – he had failed to disclose either alias to the police.
One of Arfon Griffiths’ victims said his actions have made her feel “unsafe” and “anxious”, adding that she worries about seeing him and suffers nightmares about him.
She said: “I used to enjoy going out with my friends when we were off school. However, now, I second-guess whether to go.
“I never thought it could happen to me.”
Defending Arfon Griffiths, who had one previous conviction for two offences, Elen Owen said he has made “full and frank admissions” about his offending behaviour.
Arfon Griffiths has, “in his own words”, Ms Owen said, “let himself down”, and “beats himself up about what he’s done”.
“He hasn’t, at any stage, sought to make excuses,” she added.
Sentencing, Judge Nicola Saffman criticised the decision to initially bail Arfon Griffiths, rather than remand him in custody, as he was at a later date.
Arfon Griffiths “should never, ever” have been bailed, Judge Saffman said.
She added: “The impact that’s been caused to her (the victim who gave the aforementioned statement) is as a result of an error made by those who took the decision to bail him.”
An indefinite restraining order was issued, while Judge Saffman ordered all devices seized from Arfon Griffiths to be forfeited and destroyed.
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