MAN JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES COMMITTED IN 1990S

Mohammad Haddad has been jailed for six years following conviction on one count of attempted rape and six counts of indecent assault against a young girl. Haddad appeared at Merthyr Crown Court on Tuesday, where he was sentenced after a jury trial. The offences took place in the 1990s, more than four decades before his conviction. Haddad, of Fields Park Road in Newport, listened in the dock as his victim read a statement to the court.

The victim described how Haddad's actions had "affected every part" of her life and left her "disconnected" and without a sense of safety. She told the court his conduct had left her "fighting invisible battles" and changed her "forever". Haddad's legal representative, Christopher Rees, told the court that his client was now 70 years old, in poor health, and served as sole carer for his wife. Rees requested the shortest possible sentence, citing Haddad's age, health problems and lack of previous convictions.

Judge Jeremy Jenkins said Haddad had "led an industrious and productive life for 40 years since the commission of these offences" and had never appeared before the courts. The judge acknowledged that a custodial sentence would be difficult for Haddad at his age and would affect his wife. Jenkins sentenced Haddad to six years' imprisonment.