June 2021
‘Serial predatory paedophile’ ruined teenager’s life after sexually abusing her
The victim of a serial predatory paedophile said he had “ruined her life” after he sexually abused her when she was a teenager.
Myrddyn Pendragon (previously known as Simon Clarke), 55, of Rhondda Cynon Taf, sexually assaulted the girl, who has lifelong anonymity, during the noughties.
He was previously convicted in 2013 of sexually abusing another teenager, for which he received a prison sentence of 14 years, as well as receiving a conditional discharge in 1987 for engaging in intercourse with a girl under 16.
The latest offences came to light when the victim contacted police in 2020 and told them she had been sexually abused by the defendant when she was a child.
A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Friday heard Pendragon forcefully kissed the victim, touched her breasts, and touched her vagina on numerous occasions over the course of two years.
She also told police she was scared by what had happened to her and was too frightened to tell anybody about it. She said she would tell the defendant she didn’t like what he was doing and tried to get him to stop.
Pendragon, who attended the hearing via videolink, appeared dispassionate as prosecutor Ieuan Bennett read out a victim personal statement on behalf of the victim.
The victim said: “I was a very happy child and enjoyed life, going out and about. I was sometimes moody but enjoyed being home with my family, would get involved in events, and played inside or in the house.
“After the abuse started I became withdrawn, started shutting everyone out and was not happy… I did not enjoy my childhood at all. I was a vulnerable child and he knew that but continued to abuse me.
“When the abuse started I started self-harming and became angry with everyone as no-one knew what was going on… Even now I hate being touched and I’ll not give my mum or siblings a hug. If anyone comes near me I feel sick. I can’t trust people – even those close to me. Thankfully I have a loving family.
“I still get nightmares as an adult and I suffer with anxiety and depression. I have even tried to end my life… I struggle to come to terms with what happened and still have so many feelings and things to say but I can’t put them into words… I will never forget what he has done to me – he has simply ruined my life due to his behaviour…
“I hate myself for what has happened. I have no confidence and blame myself for what has happened despite people telling me I had no control over it but I think about it every day.”
Pendragon, of HMP Parc, initially denied the charges and accused the victim of making up the accusations but he later pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual assault.
Sentencing, Judge Richard Williams said: “Your abuse has had a devastating impact on [the victim]. You are to be regarded a serial predatory paedophile.”
Pendragon was sentenced to an extended sentence of 12 years imprisonment and will serve two-thirds of the sentence before he is considered for parole.
October 2013
South Wales rapist who went on the run is jailed for 14 years
‘Wicked and evil’ Myrddin Pendragon, 48, was tracked down in Scotland after going on run for a month while on bail.
A rapist who absconded to Scotland has been returned to Cardiff Crown Court and jailed for 14 years.
Myrddin Pendragon, 48, fled South Wales while on bail facing trial for rape and sex assaults.
He was on the run for a month, changing his locations regularly while claiming benefits and was filmed on CCTV cameras in supermarkets and other public places, crown prosecutor Janet McDonald said yesterday.
A warrant was eventually executed four weeks after his trial had been due to start before a jury in Cardiff Crown Court.
Even after his arrest, Pendragon denied the offences and made his victim wait a further three months before he admitted she had been telling the truth all along and pleaded guilty. In a statement she said yesterday that all the delays and the periods of waiting had caused her great distress.
The court heard it had taken her years to pluck up the courage to go to the police, although she had previously confided in school friends.
When Pendragon assaulted her, she said she was shaking with fear as he warned her not to tell, saying: “They won’t understand us.”
A first attempt to rape her failed but when he succeeded, she was crying in pain, as he asked, “did it hurt?” and added, “I won’t do it again”.
When confronted, he threatened suicide, then claimed he suffered from narcolepsy and blamed that for his behaviour. He eventually said he had suffered abuse when young and he was afraid he was turning into a monster just like that person who attacked him.
Ms McDonald said: “He says narcolepsy affects his actions and his memory. We say he uses it to manipulate people.”
Ruth Smith, defending, said Pendragon of School Street, Porth, who previously lived in Llanedyrn, Cardiff, suffered multiple health problems including agrophobia, asthma, depression and anxiety.
Jailing him and imposing a sexual offences prevention order to keep him away from young girls in the future, Judge David Wynn Morgan told him: “You are a wicked and evil man.”
He had pleaded guilty to incitement, sexual assault, attempted rape and rape and the court heard it was not the first time he had been involved in sex with a minor.
In 1987 as Simon David Clark, he was before Cardiff magistrates for having sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 and was said to have been let off with a 12-month conditional discharge.
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