Welsh university IT expert exposed as a paedophile

North Wales Live

3 days ago

A Welsh university IT expert has been found guilty of the sexual abuse of a child. Kerry Price repeatedly sexually abused a young girl and secretly took intimate photos of her. These included a so-called "upskirting" picture. Price also downloaded photos of child sex abuse from the internet.
Price began abusing the child when she was aged around five or six. The abuse continued into the girl's teenage years a court heard.
The 53-year-old denied a total of 15 counts but was convicted by a jury at Swansea Crown Court following a week-long trial. Remanding the defendant into custody ahead of his sentencing next month a judge said he wanted a report into the dangers Price poses to children, reports WalesOnline.
The court has previously heard how the sexual the contact began with Price playing a "coin flip" game with the girl which saw him kissing the child depending on the toss of a coin. Matters then progressed to Price touching the child's genitals and breasts - both under and over her clothing and underwear - with the offending happening on multiple occasions and continuing into the girl's teenage years.
The offending included Price getting the girl to touch his penis, and some of the incidents happened in the defendant's car. All the offences happened in Swansea.
Helen Randall, prosecuting, said the abuse was not reported at the time, adding that those who work in the criminal justice system know this is often the case with victims feeling unable to come forward "through embarrassment, fear of repercussions, or fear they would not be believed". For the latest court stories sign up to out crime newsletter
The offending was reported to the police after the complainant made disclosures to her grandmother about Price's behaviour. The victim's mother was then told. Price was arrested in August 2023 and his phone was seized. In interview he denied all the allegations.
The court heard that when Price's phone was examined, police found 25 indecent images of children including five Category A images showing penetrative sexual activity with young girls. Also on the phone were dozens of images of the complainant which had been taken without her knowledge or consent, including images of her in her bikini and a so-called "upskirting" image. An examination of the phone's internet history showed Price had made searches for phrases such as "naughty schoolgirl nude".
The defendant denied any of the sexual assaults ever took place, denied having a sexual interest in children, and maintained that the complainant had known he was taking photos of her. Price - who ran computer repair shops in Ystradgynlais, Bridgend, and Dunvant in Swansea before going to work for Swansea University in 2018 as an IT technician - said the indecent images found on his phone had automatically transferred onto his Samsung Galaxy when he plugged it into an old computer tower in his garage, a computer which part of a stock of unclaimed customer devices left over from his previous repair businesses.
Kerry James Price, of Tan y Farteg, Ystradgynlais, was convicted of a total of 15 counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, sexual assault, making indecent images, possession of indecent images, voyeurism, and recording an image under clothing.
He has no previous convictions but has a caution for common assault and criminal damage from 2006. The caution relates to an incident when Price punched the man his long-term partner was having an affair with after finding them together at home.
Judge Paul Thomas KC adjourned sentencing to September 18 saying he wanted a report into the dangers the defendant poses to children. Price was remanded into custody.
The judge thanked jurors for the "obvious care" they had taken in coming to their verdicts, and said he never underestimates the degree of responsibility the court system puts on a group of random strangers who are plucked from their everyday lives and required to do jury service. He said it was his belief that the jury system is the envy of the rest of the world.
Accessing support if you've been a victim of abuse
Support for survivors of sexual abuse is available from many different charities and organisations. The following non-exhaustive list includes contact details for services that may help if you've been affected by the issues raised in this article.
Lifecentre
0808 802 0808 (freephone)
07717 989 022 (textline)
lifecentre.uk.com
Support for survivors of rape and sexual abuse, and anyone supporting them. Includes a helpline, text support, and email counselling.
The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)
0808 801 0331
[e-mail]
napac.org.uk
Supports adult survivors of any form of childhood abuse. Offers a helpline, email support, and local services.
One in Four
0800 121 7114
oneinfour.org.uk
Offers advocacy services, counselling, and resources for adults who have experienced trauma or domestic or sexual abuse in childhood.
Safeline
0808 800 5005 (National Male Survivor helpline)
safeline.org.uk
Helplines for adults and young people who have experienced sexual abuse and rape.
The Survivors Trust
0808 8010 818
thesurvivorstrust.org
Lists local specialist services for survivors of sexual violence, including advocates and independent sexual violence advisers (ISVAs).
Rape Crisis England & Wales
0808 802 9999
rapecrisis.org.uk
Support for women and girls affected by rape, sexual abuse, or any form of sexual violence. Provides details of local centres.