JOHN STRINGER, a 43-year-old former police constable from the Gwent police force, has been sentenced to ten years in prison for sexually abusing a girl under the age of 13. The sentencing follows his conviction on five counts of sexual abuse at Cardiff Crown Court in September. Stringer was found guilty of:
- Two counts of sexual assault by touching
- One count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
- One count of causing a child to watch a sexual act
In the wake of his conviction, Stringer was dismissed from Gwent Police and barred from policing for life.
The court heard harrowing details about the victim’s suffering, which included:
- Severe psychological harm resulting from Stringer’s actions
- A lasting negative memory that has affected a significant part of her childhood
- Instances of self-harming following the abuse
- Suicidal thoughts that led to multiple visits to A&E
- Difficulty in trusting others, low self-esteem, and feelings of self-blame
A victim impact statement conveyed the emotional toll, stating that despite her family’s reassurances of love, she struggles to believe them.
His Honour Judge Daniel Williams expressed his sorrow over the case, describing Stringer’s actions as “repugnant and manipulative.” He noted:
“She told you she did not want to do it, but you kept on and on at her demanding she did.”
The judge highlighted that Stringer’s position as a police officer had allowed him to conceal his true motives and behaviour, categorising him as a “high risk to young girls.”
T/Chief Constable Mark Hobrough of Gwent Police condemned Stringer’s actions:
“Former officer John Stringer was convicted of these despicable crimes by a jury and has been dismissed from our service due to his sickening actions.”
He added:
“There is no place in our organisation or our society for perpetrators of sexual abuse. Stringer’s actions do not reflect the values of our staff, many of whom work tirelessly to support victims and bring perpetrators of child sexual abuse to justice.”
Detective Sergeant Annalisa Bartley from South Wales Police praised the victim’s bravery in coming forward, stating that her courage played a crucial role in bringing Stringer to justice.
