Paedophile AVOIDS JAIL After Sexually Abusing  Underage Boy

© Tom Blewitt – Predator Awareness

A 40-year-old man has been convicted of sexually assaulting an underage boy in Pontlottyn, South Wales—yet avoided immediate prison time, sparking outrage and heartbreak from the victim who feels he’s been failed by the system.

Gary Wood was found guilty at Cardiff Crown Court of two serious offences:

– Sexual Activity with a Child, contrary to section 9(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 


– Assaulting an Emergency Worker, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and section 1 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences Act 2018)

Wood had denied all charges, but a jury convicted him following trial. Despite the gravity of the offences, he was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for twelve months. Additional penalties included:

– A £154 victim surcharge
– A £400 fine
– A Rehabilitation Activity Requirement of up to 20 days
– Mandatory registration on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years
– A restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim

Wood is now understood to be residing in the Gwent / Caerphilly area.

Victim speaks out: ‘I was failed by the system’

Speaking to Predator Awareness, the victim shared the emotional impact of the abuse and his frustration with the justice system.

“Physically, I wouldn’t say it has affected me, but mentally, on the other hand, yes—it caused me great alarm and distress to the point I was scared to leave my house for ages in case I bumped into him on my own, and in case he tried to do or say something to me. I also got referred to CAMHS a few months after; I am still waiting to speak to someone, even though it’s all over and done with.”

He described how the trauma has affected his ability to trust adult men:

“I would also say it has caused me to have trust issues, especially in grown men that most children and teenagers expect to trust, so I hate being around men alone.”

The victim expressed deep disappointment in the court’s decision to suspend Wood’s prison sentence:

“In my opinion, I’d say I have been failed by the system, as they look into recent offending or if you’ve ever offended before. In my case, I’d say it don’t matter—after what he put me through and me being 16 by the time it went to court, he should’ve gone to prison and got longer.”

A Message to Other Survivors

Despite the pain, the victim offered heartfelt advice to others who may be suffering in silence:

“Don’t ever be afraid to speak up about the things you’re going through. The sooner you tell someone, the sooner it can be sorted, and more help can be given to others that are experiencing the same thing. I know it’s easier said than done, but don’t ever let it get to you too much. Just know there’s always help out there, like close family and friends and teachers. I also recommend speaking to someone, even though other types of support like New Pathways and Victim Support both helped me greatly when I was feeling low.”

Reporting sexual offences:

If you’ve experienced a sexual offence—whether recently or in the past—you are not alone, and you have every right to speak up. Reporting can feel overwhelming, but it’s a powerful step toward justice, healing, and protecting others.

📞 Who to Contact:

– Police (Emergency): Call 999 if you’re in immediate danger. 
– Police (Non-Emergency): Call 101 to report an incident that’s not urgent. 
– New Pathways: Specialist support for survivors in Wales. Offers counselling, advocacy, and crisis support. 
– Victim Support: Free, confidential help for anyone affected by crime. Call 08 08 16 89 111 or visit victimsupport.org.uk. 
– Rape Crisis England & Wales: Call 0808 500 2222 (24/7 helpline) or visit rapecrisis.org.uk for specialist support. 
– The Survivors Trust: Offers support and resources across the UK. Visit thesurvivorstrust.org.

💬 Why Reporting Matters:

– It helps protect others from harm. 
– It gives you access to support services and legal protection. 
– It sends a clear message: what happened to you was not okay.

🧠 You don’t have to go through it alone. Whether you speak to the police, a support service, or someone you trust—your voice matters. Even if it’s been months or years, it’s never too late to report.

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Tom Blewitt

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