Steven Felix, 36, from Brackla, Bridgend, sexually abused a child under the age of 13, from the summer of 2019 to late 2020.

Officers received a report of the abuse in May 2021. Following an investigation, he was charged with 24 charges of rape and sexual activity with a child.

On Friday, March 22, he was sentenced to 24 years in prison, an additional six-year license order, and a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Detective Sergeant Jo Williams-Smith said:

“Steven Felix is a predatory individual who took advantage of a child and abused them in a horrific way.

“The victim in this case has to live with the memory of this awful abuse. I’m pleased that the court have recognised this by handing Steven Felix this lengthy jail sentence which is the outcome the case deserved. I’d like to personally pay tribute to the victim for coming forward and sticking with the investigation. It is thanks to their bravery that we secured a successful prosecution.

“I hope that this sentence will serve as encouragement to other victims of sexual abuse to come forward. We will believe you and do everything we can to bring offenders to justice, no matter how long ago the offences took place.

“We take all allegations of sexual abuse extremely seriously. We have specially trained teams that investigate sexual offences and provide support to victims. If you have experienced these kinds of offences, you will be heard and listened to, and your report will be believed.”