A police officer from Cardiff, John Stringer, has been found guilty of sexually abusing a girl under the age of 13. The verdict, delivered on Monday at Cardiff Crown Court, concludes a disturbing case that has shocked the community and raised questions about the integrity of those sworn to protect the public.
John Stringer’s Crimes and Trial
Stringer, 42, was suspended by Gwent Police when the force first became aware of the allegations against him. This case first came to light after the young girl confided in a teaching assistant at her primary school. The offenses occurred over a period from December 2019 to July 2021 and included two counts of sexual assault by touching, two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and one count of causing a child to watch a sexual act.
Despite initially denying the charges, and a previous jury failing to reach a verdict, the retrial resulted in a unanimous decision of guilt. Stringer is to be sentenced on October 28, 2024.
Reaction from Gwent Police and Community
Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend labeled Stringer’s offenses as some of the most “heinous crimes” and expressed the police force’s dedication to investigating such cases. Townsend commended the bravery of the victim, acknowledging the difficulty of speaking out and the further impact of the court process.
“We’d like to commend the bravery of the victim in this case; speaking out about such horrific abuse is hard, and we understand the further impact of going through the court process will have,” Townsend said. With the trial now concluded, Gwent Police are prepared to rapidly progress with appropriate misconduct proceedings against Stringer.
This case has undoubtedly shaken the community, with residents grappling with the betrayal of trust from someone in a position of authority.
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