MATTHEW PRITCHARD – HOLYHEAD, WALES Prison for ‘controlling’ Holyhead man after…

❌MATTHEW PRITCHARD – HOLYHEAD, WALES❌

Prison for ‘controlling’ Holyhead man after ‘grooming’ girl

A MAN from Holyhead has been jailed for “grooming” a girl with whom he repeatedly had sexual intercourse in public.

Matthew Pritchard, 24, of Dol Eithin, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment at Caernarfon Crown Court today (July 22).

He had previously admitted four counts of sexual activity with a child, and one charge of sexual communication with a child.

Pritchard’s parents, sat in the public gallery, were told to stop shaking their heads during today’s sentencing hearing.

Prosecutor Myles Wilson said Pritchard’s offending took place between 2018 and 2020, after he and the girl had first met each other via social media.

She had told Pritchard he was “too old” for her, but he said this was “not a problem”.

They had sex for the first time on a beach in Holyhead – she felt “uncomfortable” and “nervous” about this, and was physically sick due to her intoxication on alcohol Pritchard had bought her.

After this incident, the girl would “sneak out” of her family home to meet Pritchard, and on other occasions, they had sex behind public toilets.

Pritchard also took steps to try to prevent her from reporting his behaviour, and ignored a warning from his friend about what he was doing after the incident at the beach.

In a statement, the girl, who reported Pritchard’s behaviour in late 2023, labelled him “jealous” and “controlling”.

Police then found sexual text and photo messages exchanged between the two on the girl’s mobile phone.

Representing Pritchard, who had no previous convictions, Richard Edwards said he admitted his offending “from a very early stage”.

Mr Edwards said Pritchard has struggled with depression since his early teenage years, and left school with few friends.

Pritchard committed these offences during a “particularly lonely and difficult period of his life,” and knows his behaviour was “stupid” and “selfish,” Mr Edwards added.

But he said Pritchard now shows “increasing maturity” and is now in a “completely different position” – he works at a hotel, and has a young son with his partner of four years.

Sentencing, Judge Nicola Jones told Pritchard that his “grooming” has had a “devastating effect” on the girl’s life.

She added to him: “It’s clear to me that, at the time of these incidents, and to some extent, still now, you were suffering from a mental disorder.

“You were immature, and that clearly has fed into your offending behaviour.”

Pritchard was made subject to indefinite sex offenders register notification requirements, and a lifelong sexual harm prevention order.

A restraining order for life was also made for the girl’s protection.

Detective Constable Sarah Jones, of North Wales Police, said: “Pritchard groomed and manipulated a vulnerable young girl when he was himself an adult.

“This experience has had a devastating impact on the victim’s life.