A man from Newport has been jailed after a jury found him guilty of serious sexual offences dating from the 1990s. Mohammad Haddad, who lived on Fields Park Road, was sentenced at Merthyr Crown Court after being convicted of one count of attempted rape and six counts of indecent assault.
Victim: abuse had long-lasting effect
The court heard the offences took place when the complainant was a young girl. She read a victim statement from the dock describing the impact on her life, telling the judge how the abuse had left her feeling disconnected and had “stolen her sense of safety”. In that statement she said the ordeal had left her fighting a hidden struggle.
“It left her fighting invisible battles”
Defence and sentencing
Mr Haddad, aged 70, listened as his counsel set out mitigating circumstances: the defendant’s advanced age, ongoing health problems and his role as the sole carer for his unwell wife. His lawyer argued that this would be his first custodial term and urged the court to impose a short sentence.
Sentencing, Judge Jeremy Jenkins acknowledged the passage of time since the offences and Mr Haddad’s previously law-abiding life, but emphasised the seriousness of the convictions. The judge handed down a custodial term of six years.
Local impact and context
Historic sexual offence prosecutions often present painful challenges for survivors and courts alike. This case underlines that alleged crimes from decades earlier can still be pursued and lead to conviction. Merthyr Crown Court continues to hear such matters as part of the criminal justice system’s ongoing work to investigate and prosecute offences against children, irrespective of when they are reported.
- Defendant: Mohammad Haddad, of Fields Park Road, Newport
- Convictions: 1 count attempted rape; 6 counts indecent assault
- Sentence: 6 years' imprisonment
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Court | Merthyr Crown Court |
| Timeframe of offences | 1990s |
| Defendant's age at sentence | 70 |
The impact on the victim was central to the sentencing hearing. In her statement she described how the abuse had affected all aspects of her life and had changed her in ways that endured long after the events themselves. The judge recognised the difficulties the defendant’s imprisonment would pose for his wife but concluded a custodial sentence was appropriate given the gravity of the offences.
This conviction follows a trial by jury and represents one of several historic child abuse cases the courts in south Wales have dealt with in recent years. Anyone affected by the issues raised in this report and seeking support can contact local victim services and national helplines for advice and assistance.
