25/07/2025
Serial Child S*x Offender Jailed for 12 Years After Horrific R**e of Young Girl 🏴
A serial child s*x offender from Pontypool has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted of ra**ng a young girl, in a case described by the judge as posing a “significant risk of serious harm to the public”.
Stuart Bladen, 48, Found Guilty After ‘Compelling’ Testimony 🗣️
Stuart Bladen, 48, was unanimously found guilty by a Newport Crown Court jury in just one hour, following disturbing evidence of two counts of oral r**e against a young girl. Bladen, who denied the offences, showed no emotion as the verdict was delivered.
The court heard harrowing details of Bladen’s predatory behaviour as the powerful impact statement from his victim was read aloud. The young girl described the shattering impact:
“I struggle to speak to new people and I struggle to speak about how I feel. I keep my emotions inside and I cry on my own and cry myself to sleep. I’m quite an anxious person and I worry a lot – I’m always stressed. There are only a handful of people who I trust.”
She further revealed:
“I don’t have any confidence – inside I am sad and worried. I was worried that no one would believe what he did to me. I spend most of my days feeling sad.”
Previous Convictions Paint Picture of Ongoing Threat 📑
Bladen’s conviction comes after a grim series of prior s*xual offences. He was previously jailed for 12 years in 2019 for s*xually abusing a boy, and in 2022 received a six-year sentence for s*xually assaulting a girl at Trecco Bay caravan park in Porthcawl.
His barrister, Matthew Comer, did not seek to mitigate the gravity of Bladen’s actions, stating, “The defendant realises there is something wrong with him.”
Judge Highlights Lasting Harm to Victim ☹️
Sentencing Bladen, Judge Celia Hughes praised the victim’s courage, telling the court:
“The complainant in her powerful impact statement says that she struggles to sleep and express her emotions. She is clearly a sad, anxious and troubled young person. She gave powerful testimony at the trial which was compelling evidence of your guilt. You appear to be in denial.”
The judge described Bladen as a continuing danger, imposing a 10-year custodial term with a two-year extended licence. In addition, Bladen must register as a s*x offender for life and is subject to a restraining order preventing any contact with his victim. He is also required to pay a statutory victim surcharge upon release.
The case has sent shock waves through the community, with local authorities and campaigners reiterating the importance of speaking out against abuse and supporting survivors.
