'Fred and Rose West of Wales' jailed for 36 years for the grooming and rape of young girls in Barry

A couple branded the “Fred and Rose West” of their South Wales estate have been jailed for a combined 36 years for raping and grooming young girls.

Peter Griffiths, 65, and his wife, Avril, 61, were both convicted of a string of sexual offences last month relating to the abuse of three victims between 1978 and 1993.

The couple repeatedly assaulted the children in a number of locations, including at a sex party on a boat.

One of their victims said the couple were well known in the Barry neighbourhood in which they lived, earning the nickname “Fred and Rose West” – in reference to the notorious serial killers.

At Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, Peter Griffiths was jailed for 21 years, while Avril Griffiths was sentenced to 15.

The court was told the couple had “few, if any, sexual boundaries” and used their offending “to fulfil their sexual fantasies”.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Caroline Rees QC read three victim impact statements to the court on behalf of the victims.

“For almost 30 years I have been dealing with the mental torture of what Peter and Avril did to me,” one of the victims said in her statement: “I have always struggled with my mental health.

“I think they could see my vulnerability, which is why they targeted me. It has had a huge impact on my whole life. I constantly felt scared and fearful.

“I never felt able to tell anyone what happened to me because of the shame I felt. I feel I used drugs as a coping mechanism. I did not feel safe to walk past their house.”

A jury took less than four hours to return unanimous guilty verdicts during the Griffiths’ trial at the same court last month and judge Jeremy Jenkins had warned them to expect “considerable” sentences.

The couple will be on the sex offenders’ register for the rest of their lives.

Peter Griffiths was found guilty of eight offences of rape, two of taking an indecent photograph of a child and three of indecent assault.

His wife was found guilty of five offences of rape, two of taking an indecent photograph of a child and two of indecent assault.

Detective Sergeant David Rich, the officer in the case, said: “This couple who were responsible for appalling abuse have now been brought to justice.

“I would like to commend the three victims in this case who have shown immense strength and courage throughout the investigation and court proceedings.

“I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to come forward to report sexual abuse but I want to reassure anyone considering doing so that there is a whole range of support out there, not only from the police but from partner agencies who can help you through the entire process.

“Survivors of abuse by predators like Peter and Avril Griffiths deserve to see them brought to justice and we are determined to do all we can to help them.”

Additional reporting by agencies