Gwent police officer John Stringer jailed for sexually abusing girl

A police officer who sexually assaulted a girl under the age of 13 has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

John Stringer, 43, from Cardiff, was found guilty of five counts of sexual abuse during a trial at Cardiff Crown Court in September.

The court found that the victim suffered “serious psychological harm” as a result of Stringer’s abuse.

Following his conviction, Stringer was dismissed from Gwent Police and banned from police work for life.

Judge Daniel Williams told the sentencing in Newport that Stringer’s attempts to convince a jury of his innocence were “odious and cynical”.

He also said he posed a “high risk to female children.”

Stringer was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault by touching and one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

He was also found guilty of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and inciting a child to watch a sexual act.

In a personal victim impact statement, the court was told the abuse had left a “lasting negative, painful memory” for much of the girl’s childhood.

The statement, read out by prosecutor Ian Wright, said the girl began self-harming after the abuse and was “desperate to take away the feeling” of Stringer’s hands on her body.

Her family said, “No matter how many times we told her she was loved, she won’t believe us.”

The court heard she also had suicidal thoughts and had been taken to an accident or emergency on many occasions, with the family fearing she would kill herself.

The statement added: “She has set her barriers high, she doesn’t trust people, has no self-esteem and blames herself.”

Sentencing Stringer, Judge Williams said in relation to one aspect of the abuse “she told you she didn’t want to do it but you kept demanding she do it”.

He said the abuse worsened when Stringer was arrested.

Judge Williams said it was ‘heartbreaking’ for the court to hear the impact the abuse had on the girl.

Stringer was told that “your status as a police officer allowed you to conceal your motives and transgressions.”

Judge Williams told the girl’s family: “It is clear to me that she is a kind, caring, intelligent and honest girl. She is to be commended for her courage in coming forward and her honesty in coming forward.”

Speaking after Stringer was found guilty in SeptemberVicki Townsend, the interim assistant chief constable of Gwent Police, described the offenses as “sickening”.

In a statement, Ms Townsend said “his offending is a betrayal of his role as an officer”.

“We would like to commend the bravery of the victim in this case. It is difficult to speak out about such horrific abuse and we understand that going through the legal process will have a further impact.”

Stringer will serve a minimum of five years.