Caerphilly paedophile jailed for sexually assaulting girl

Police have released the mugshot of a paedophile called two underage girls “filthy whores” before he sexually assaulted one of them.

Lee Perkins, 37, of no fixed abode, Caerphilly was a “drunken mess” on the day of his offences.

The defendant used “repugnant” language towards the two victims who were aged 12 and 14 at the time in 2023.

He was unanimously found guilty by a jury of three counts in his absence after he failed to turn up for his trial whilst on bail.

Hashim Salmman, prosecuting, told Cardiff Crown Court how Perkins had touched one of the girls’ breasts and referred to both as knowing how to perform oral sex.

The defendant was convicted of two counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child and one of assault of a girl under 13 by touching.

In a victim impact statement, one of the complainants said: “I can’t bring myself to say his name.

“These have been the hardest years of my life.

“It’s something that I will always carry with me.”

Daniel Williams, representing Perkins, said on his behalf: “He understands the trauma he would have put his victims through during the trial.

“The defendant accepts the verdicts of the jury.

“He describes himself as being in a very dark place at the time of the offending – he was drinking heavily and there was substance misuse.”

The court heard that Perkins had already served the equivalent of at least six months in custody at Bedford Prison since being remanded following his arrest in the summer.

“Your language was repugnant,” Judge Eugene Egan told the defendant.

“You were a drunken mess that day – your conduct was thoroughly shameful.

“Your victims describe your language as ‘gross, disgusting and dehumanising.’”

Perkins was jailed for 28 months and told the time he had already spent in jail would count towards that sentence.

He must register as a sex offender for 10 years and was made the subject of a seven-year sexual harm prevention order.

The defendant was also made the subject of a restraining order which one of his victims had requested.

Perkins must not contact her until 2036.