Jimmy Tawse, 18, of Penyrheol Road, Gorseinon, Swansea (Image: South Wales Police)
A teenager targeted elderly and vulnerable women by posing as a masseuse and window cleaner, Swansea Crown Court has heard. Jimmy Tawse, 18, would gain access to the women’s homes under false pretences before asking them to undress.
Tawse, from Gorseinon in Swansea, visited two 89-year-old women, an 85-year-old, and a housebound 63-year-old. Prosecutor Georgia Donohue detailed how on 15 May, Tawse separately visited two 89-year-old women living alone.
The first victim was in her living room around 11.30am when she heard someone enter. Assuming it was a neighbour, she was shocked to find it was Tawse.
Claiming to be a therapist, Tawse convinced the woman of his authenticity. He then directed her to the bedroom where he instructed her to remove her top and bra before groping her breasts.
When the victim informed Tawse that her legs were the issue, he proceeded to touch her thigh and the waistband of her underwear. Tawse then claimed he was a sexual therapist who had arrived at the wrong address.
In a victim impact statement, she said: “It has impacted me in an emotional way. I don’t want to leave the house and feel like people could be watching me in case I go out.
“I know he is in prison but I just feel like I might see him again. I blame myself for this happening to me. I used to go for walks regularly but now I keep myself to myself because I am worried I will see him again.”
Tawse was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court (Image: Getty)
Tawse then drove to another property in the vicinity where he approached a second elderly woman, claiming to be a masseuse dispatched by her GP. As she had been awaiting a physiotherapy appointment, she believed his story.
Introducing himself as John, he requested she accompany him to the bedroom. Once there, Tawse instructed her to remove her shirt, but she declined, explaining it was only her leg requiring treatment.
Tawse responded, insisting it was a “body to body” massage and that he had travelled all the way from Mumbles for the appointment. She maintained her refusal and he departed, WalesOnline reports.
In a victim impact statement presented to the court, she said: “My confidence has been knocked massively. I’m lucky if I get two hours sleep but before this incident I was okay.
“I rely a lot on my family. I feel anger at what happened. I have been off my food and lost weight because of this. It has had a terrible impact on me.”
On June 20, Tawse visited the residence of an 85-year-old woman. She was at home when Tawse knocked on both her front and rear doors, informing her he had cleaned her windows and was the son of her regular window cleaner.
Tawse demanded £55 for the service and the woman went inside her house to retrieve the money. Tawse followed her indoors and asked if she would “feel his lump” whilst gesturing towards his groin.
She handed over the money and he left. When she later asked her regular window cleaner about the man, he had no knowledge of him.
The following day, on June 21, he targeted his fourth victim, a housebound 63-year-old woman with mobility issues. Tawse told her through the window that he was a massage therapist.
When she asked who the service was for, he claimed not to know but insisted someone had paid £55 for it and “it would be a shame for it to go to waste”.
In a victim impact statement read in court, the 63-year-old said: “I would not have expected this to happen. I am in constant fear I will see him again as he now knows where I live. I don’t believe I deserve to be exploited by anyone and I can’t be comfortable in my own home.”
In an unrelated incident on February 16, police were called to his family home following a 999 call. After a disagreement with his parents, Tawse asked the officers to take him into custody.
His father then suggested something along the lines of “the only way they will take you is if you hit one of them”. Tawse responded by pushing an officer in her chest, leading to his arrest.
Megan Williams, representing Tawse, pointed out that her client was only 17 when he met the first two victims and argued that even though he was 18 at the time of the later offence, he wouldn’t have matured overnight.
She informed the court that it was his first time in custody and he was using this time “productively” to pursue education having left school at 12 years old. Ms Williams added that Tawse has kept a job while in custody.
Tawse was charged with trespassing with intent to commit a sexual offence, sexual assault, fraud, and assault of an emergency worker. He admitted guilt to all charges.
The court heard how Tawse, of Penyrheol Road, had one previous conviction for theft.
Judge Geraint Walters stated: “They are very serious and concerning offences particularly in the case of a man as young as you. Very very troubling indeed.”
He sentenced Tawse to seven years in detention with the custodial part being four years.
The judge also issued indefinite restraining orders for all the victims and ordered Tawse to register as a sex offender and said a sexual harm prevention order would be dealt with in a fortnight.
