December 2008

Girl rapist’s life term to stand despite ruling

A PAEDOPHILE from the Swansea Valley who repeatedly raped two young girls has been told he will stay behind bars indefinitely — despite having his life sentences quashed.

Jeffrey Neil Preece, of Ynyswen Penycae in Ystradgynlais, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of rape at Cardiff Crown Court in April this year, and was jailed for life on each count.

He was ordered to spend at least six years behind bars before being considered for parole.

The 41-year-old (pictured) took his case to the Appeal Court, where judges ruled the life sentences had not been appropriate in his case.

But describing him as a “hopelessly corrupted paedophile”, Lord Justice Hooper instead imposed Indefinite terms of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) — on all but two of the counts.

An IPP is similar to a life sentence, in that those serving them can only be freed when they are deemed no longer to be a danger to the public.

Lord Justice Hooper rejected arguments made by Preece’s lawyers that he was not so dangerous as to justify an IPP, and he was told he must still serve at least six years before his case comes before the Parole Board.

The court heard that the girls Preece attacked were not yet teenagers when he repeatedly raped them.

He was arrested by police in early 2008, and made some admissions after being interviewed by officers, before pleading guilty at the Crown Court.

Preece, who was described as a man of previous good character, was said to pose an ongoing threat to young girls.