'Predator' jailed after teenagers 'targeted, plied with drugs and exploited'
A man has been jailed after 'teenagers were targeted, plied with drugs and exploited'. On Thursday, at Mold Crown Court, 46-year-old Stephen Thomas of Erw Deg, in Llangollen, was jailed having been found guilty of the attempted sexual assault of a child, supplying a Class A drug (cocaine), and breach of a sexual harm prevention order.
It follows an investigation into the sexual exploitation of vulnerable teenagers in the Rhyl area in 2022. A North Wales Police Denbighshire Coastal and Abergele statement said "The teenagers were targeted, plied with drugs and exploited."
The statement added: "Working closely with the Local Authority in Denbighshire, the Exploitation Team identified Stephen Thomas as the male responsible. At the conclusion of a lengthy investigation he appeared and was sentenced to six and a half years in prison."
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Speaking after sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable Gavin Jones said: "Stephen Thomas was calculated in targeting vulnerable young people for his own gratification, and in doing so abused and traumatised the victims.
"Today is the conclusion of a long investigation, but finally the voices of the victims have been heard, and they can be assured that they and other young people are safe now from this predator."
Rhiain Morlle, Head of Children’s Services at Denbighshire County Council said, “I would like to pay tribute to the young people involved. Their bravery in speaking out has ensured that other young people will be safeguarded from this individual. North Wales Police and Denbighshire worked in close partnership throughout this process and I am grateful to the staff in both agencies for their efforts.”
Detective Inspector Janelle Dexter-Lowe from the force Protecting Vulnerable People Unit (PVPU) said: ‘The bravery shown by the victims to tell their story, and follow through the court process has been commendable, and hopefully this sentence will be well received.
"Crucially, the close partnership working between North Wales Police and Denbighshire Social Services Department ensured that the victims received the correct support through this difficult process."
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