AM calls for investigation after ‘long-term failure’ over paedophile

A FULL-SCALE investigation has been demanded following the case of a paedophile who raped a five-year-old girl in Port Talbot and forced children to have sex together.

Plaid AM Helen Mary Jones has made the call for an inquiry after David Owens, latterly of Manchester, was hit with a life jail term and labelled a “serious danger”. Swansea Crown Court heard the 43-year-old raped a five-year-old girl after forcing her to watch him have simulated sex on an inflatable doll.

It was revealed in court that one youngster made allegations against Owens nine years ago. But at the time, the police said there was not enough evidence and informed Neath Port Talbot social services about the situation. One of the girls also raised the alarm on a number of occasions but again no action was taken against Owens.

Llanelli AM Ms Jones, who is on the Assembly’s children and young people’s committee, said: “I will be saying to ministers that I think this needs the most thorough investigation because this looks like a serious systematic long-term failure of child protection in this area and we cannot allow this to happen again.”

Neath Port Talbot Council has pledged it will carry out a serious case review — the findings of which will be made public.