Ex North Wales police chief jailed for child abuse

4 November 2016, 17:48 | Updated: 4 November 2016, 17:49

Former North Wales police superintendent Gordon Anglesea has been jailed for 12 years for indecently assaulting two teenage boys.

Mold Crown Court heard Gordon Anglesea used his position and "connections with authority'' to molest the two victims, while running a young offenders centre in North Wales in the 1980s.

The jury heard Anglesea would "inspect his victims in a military style parade and loiter around the showers.

Last month the 79 year old from Colwyn Bay was convicted of four counts of indecent assault against two boys, both aged 14 or 15 at the time.

As the dad of five stood in the dock for sentencing, members of his family wept in the public gallery.

Chief Constable Mark Polin from North Wales Police said, "Time has caught up with Gordon Anglsea and today’s sentence of 12 years reflects the serious abuse of authority against vulnerable victims who should have been safe in his presence.

“It is true to say that no occupation is immune from individuals who will exploit their position of trust, but people expect and deserve better from the police. 

"I am saddened that a former North Wales police officer was one of these individuals and I would like to apologise again on behalf of the force to those whose lives he so traumatically affected.”

Suspicions against Anglesea had first been raised in 1991 and Des Mannion, head of NSPCC Cymru says it's right he's been brought to justice after three decades.

"Anglesea should have protected and supported vulnerable children, but instead he targeted and exploited them. 

"They were robbed of their childhoods and must be commended for the incredible bravery they showed by giving evidence in court.

“We hope that this sentence provides some comfort to them and shows that no stone will go unturned when it comes to investigating cases of past sexual abuse."