‘Oakdale sex abuse accused has past conviction’ - jury hears (From South Wales Argus)

‘Oakdale sex abuse accused has past conviction’ - jury hears

10:40am Wednesday 6th March 2013 in Gwent news By Keiligh Baker

A MAN accused of sexually abusing children has been jailed for child sex offences in the past, a jury was told.

Vernon Cleverly, 58, of Llwynon Crescent, Oakdale, the uncle of Welsh boxing champion Nathan Cleverly, has denied indecently assaulting two girls during the 1980s and 1990s He is on trial at Cardiff Crown Court after he pleaded not guilty to six charges of indecent assault, allegedly dating from 1983 to 2001.

The court was told Cleverly was previously convicted of indecent assault on a female under 16 on December 13, 1995, and sentenced to six months in prison.

One of his alleged victims broke down as she gave evidence in court yesterday.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, cried as she told the court she was abused on several occasions.

When questioned via a live video link, the woman wept and said she had blocked out a lot of the memories, but told the court that the incidents are “in my head, and I can’t get rid of them”.

After the alleged assaults took place she said she would feel “sick”. She said she suffered flashbacks as a result of the alleged abuse, and that Cleverly had told her at the time that it was their little secret.

In a pre-recorded interview shown to the court, the woman said: “I did not want anyone to know. I kept it to myself.

“I knew it was bad but I thought perhaps I had done something wrong, and that’s why I was being punished.

“He made me feel creepy.”

Susan Ferrier, prosecuting, said both the complainants – who had never met before the trial – were girls when the alleged abuse took place.

Proceeding.