A rapist from Carmarthen, Daniel Gravell, has been convicted of rape committed in 2002 and has confessed to voyeurism after a two-week trial at Swansea Crown Court.
Daniel Gravell was accused of raping a 19-year-old woman who was socialising with her friends in 2002.
The court was informed that the victim had been socialising with her friends in Carmarthen when she began to feel ill and requested to be carried home.
Upon awakening in a friend’s residence, she saw that Daniel Gravell was assaulting her, however she was physically incapacitated to repel him. She informed the court that when she uttered ‘get off me,’ he responded with ‘it’s ok, it’s ok’ and asserted that he was her lover.
After two decades of what she characterises as ‘experiencing shame,’ the victim courageously decided to disclose the occurrence to law enforcement, resulting in Daniel Gravell’s arrest on suspicion of rape.
Following six hours of deliberation, the jury at Swansea Crown Court convicted Daniel Gravell of rape, and he was remanded in custody for sentencing.
Daniel Gravell faced charges of voyeurism in a revenge porn case involving a woman he encountered online. Daniel Gravell had befriended the victim on Facebook, and after conversing for several weeks, they scheduled an in-person meeting. They engaged in consenting sexual activity; nevertheless, unbeknownst to the victim, Daniel Gravell captured photographs of her unclothed form.
Three days later, Dyfed-Powys Police got a tip indicating that Daniel Gravell had transmitted pornographic photographs via WhatsApp, accompanied by the name and address of the woman depicted. Authorities verified her identity, and the victim affirmed that the photographs depicted her. She affirmed that she had not given approval for the photographs to be taken, and that Daniel Gravell asserted he was unaware of how his phone operated when he inadvertently activated the camera flash.
Daniel Gravell was also tried for two other rape offences said to have taken place in 2005 and 2022. The jury did not reach a verdict on the 2005 incident, and he was found not guilty of the 2022 incident. A decision on whether he will face a re-trial will be made next week.
Dyfed-Powys Police Detective Sergeant Lee James, officer in case, said: “First of all, I would like to commend the victims in this case for their strength and bravery in coming forward to make these difficult reports, and for their cooperation during our investigation.
“We’ve heard about the devastating the impact of Daniel Gravell’s actions, and I hope that all affected by this case can now start to move forward with their lives.”
“As for Daniel Gravell, I wholeheartedly agree with the victim who described him as a predator. This is a man who clearly bears no regard for the impact his disgraceful behaviour would undoubtedly have.”
Detective Inspector Dale Thomas added: “Reporting rape and sexual offences can be incredibly difficult and distressing, and as we’ve seen here it can take a number of years for victims to open up about their experiences. I would like to reassure that we deal with all reports sensitively and compassionately, and that we will do all we can to pursue the offender.”
UPDATE 24.06.25
Carmarthen man Daniel Gravell sentenced to nine years in prison for “truly wicked” rape and voyeurism offences.
Daniel Gravell, aged 43, was found guilty of raping a woman in 2002 and admitted to voyeurism following a two-week trial at Swansea Crown Court that concluded in May this year.
Recognising the lasting impact of the rape offence committed in 2002, the judge said, “The offence of rape, and the violation which is needed to commit such an offence, is one that nearly always leaves a scar – and a scar which, very often, is lifelong.”
Upon sentencing the rapist to nine years behind bars, the judge condemned Gravell’s attack, describing it as a “truly wicked, and terrible thing to do to another human being”.
Gravell committed the rape in 2002 when his 19-year-old victim was enjoying a night out with her friends in Carmarthen. During the evening, the young woman complained about feeling unwell and was taken home.
At trial, the court heard how the victim woke up at her friend’s house to the horrific realisation that Gravell was raping her. It was heard how she told Gravell to stop but was unable to push him off. The victim explained to the court how Gravell said ‘it’s ok, it’s ok’ and that he was her boyfriend.
Giving a statement at court today, the victim explained how she was “extremely vulnerable” on the night she was raped, and recalled an “overwhelming sense of powerlessness” when Gravell carried out the attack that she described as “unforgiveable”.
Gravell admitted to a separate count of voyeurism in 2021 against a woman he had consensual sex with, before taking naked photos of her without her knowledge or consent.
Describing Gravell as “a wolf in sheep’s clothing”, the victim explained how she felt “disgusted” and “violated in the worst possible way” upon discovering that Gravell had taken those intimate photographs of her.
Daniel Gravell was sentenced to eight years and six months for the rape, followed by a further six months in jail for the voyeurism offence.
💬 Speaking outside the court after the sentencing today, Detective Inspector Dale Thomas, said:
“I can only start today by extending my deepest sympathies to the victims in this case for the horror they suffered at the hands of Daniel Gravell.
“The bravery shown by the victims – from their initial reports all the way through to today’s sentencing – must be commended.
“The courage it takes to report a rape or sexual offence, no matter how recent or non-recent, cannot be underestimated. I hope that today’s result brings some comfort to the victims as they begin to move forward with their lives.
“Rape is as much a psychological offence as it is physical.
“We have heard how a woman endured 20 years of suffering because of what Daniel Gravell did to her in 2002.
“We must recognise that this victim did not only suffer a physical attack in 2002 but has also suffered the emotional consequences since.
“We have also heard about the devastating impact a non-physical sex offence can have on an individual’s emotional welfare too.
“Thanks to the bravery of the victims in this case, Daniel Gravell is now a convicted rapist and will face the punishment he so rightly deserves.
“I want to send a clear message today: if you are a victim of rape or sexual assault, please come forward.
“We have specially trained officers and partners who will support you every step of the way.
“Today’s result shows that we can, and will, do everything possible to investigate and prosecute vile offenders such as Daniel Gravell.”
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