A man sexually who groomed a schoolgirl and made her pregnant has been jailed. Swansea Crown Court heard how Liam Peat lied about not knowing the girl’s real age, a deceit he maintained until the first day of his trial when his young victim appeared in court to testify against him.
The court was told that the defendant’s actions made the complainant feel “worthless” to the point where she no longer wanted to exist. However, she stated that while she would have to “live with the horror” of what transpired, she refused to let it dominate her life. Prosecutor Dyfed Thomas informed the court that when Peat initiated conversation with the girl on Snapchat, she was 13 years old and he was 19. He said the pair began meeting secretly and the child started sharing personal matters with the defendant, establishing a level of trust between them.
As their relationship developed, the court heard that their communications became sexual. Peat requested intimate photos from the girl and sent her a video of himself masturbating.
He then instructed the girl to erase their message exchanges, reports Wales Online.
The prosecutor stated that the defendant and the complainant had sexual intercourse multiple times when the girl was aged 14 and 15, and protection was seldom used. He asserted that the prosecution’s case is that Peat “groomed and manipulated” the girl.
The court was told the offending reached its peak when the child fell pregnant and informed her mother.
Police were alerted and Peat attended a voluntary interview where he responded “no comment” to every question put to him.
The prosecutor explained that when the matters initially emerged, the girl felt too vulnerable to lodge a formal complaint and no further action was pursued, however in April 2023 she contacted police stating she now wished to proceed.
Peat was detained and during questioning provided a prepared statement acknowledging sexual activity occurred on multiple occasions but insisted it was always consensual, claiming the girl had told him she was attending college and he believed she was of appropriate age.
In a victim impact statement read to the court by the prosecution barrister, the complainant revealed what the defendant did to her has had a “massive effect” on her life.
She explained Peat had made her feel “worthless” to the extent she no longer wanted to exist, but stated whilst she would have to “live with the horror” of his actions she refused to let it dominate her life.
Liam Peat, 25, of Heol y Graig, Crynant, Neath, had previously admitted guilt on the day of trial to two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.
He has no prior convictions but possesses two cautions for battery, both relating to incidents committed during nights out. Matt Murphy, representing Peat, acknowledged that immediate custody was the only possible sentence in this case.
He explained that the offences were committed when his client was an immature young man, and highlighted that Peat had his own “difficulties”, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Judge Paul Thomas KC pointed out that Peat had sexually groomed a child after insinuating himself into her life.
He noted that while there was now “some regret” from the defendant, it would have been more significant if it hadn’t come so late, when the complainant was prepared to be cross-examined by a barrister.
With a 10 per cent reduction for his guilty pleas, Peat was sentenced to 45 months in prison. He will serve up to half of this sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.
The defendant will be a registered sex offender for life and is subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.