Child sex offender jailed for 16 years after victim came forward more than a decade after abuse
A man has been jailed for 16 years after sexually assaulting a seven-year-old child in abuse dating back to 2011.
Shannon Leigh Newth, 38, was sentenced on 18 October 2024 and was also handed a lifetime restraining order, South Wales Police confirmed.
The victim had carried the abuse for more than a decade before reporting what had happened in 2023. According to police, seeing a Facebook post on South Wales Police’s social-media channels about a similar case prompted her to finally come forward.
Her disclosure led to a police investigation and ultimately to Newth being brought before the courts for the historic sexual offences.
Investigating officer Detective Georgia Davies praised the victim’s courage and acknowledged how difficult it had been for her to disclose what happened after so many years.
Police described what the child endured as a dreadful experience at an age when she should have been able to enjoy her childhood. Det Davies said the case demonstrated that the passage of time should never discourage survivors from reporting sexual abuse.
Newth is now serving the 16-year prison sentence, while the lifetime restraining order provides continuing protection for the victim.
South Wales Police urged anyone who has experienced sexual assault to come forward, stressing that reports can still be investigated even when offences happened many years previously.
Sarah’s Law: Parents, carers and guardians in England and Wales can ask police whether someone who has contact with a child poses a known sexual risk through the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme.