A PAEDOPHILE has been jailed for 16 years, after being convicted of the 'horrifying' sexual assault of a young child in Powys.
The victim suffered abuse at the hands of Matthew Toyer in the Brecon area over the last decade.
Toyer, 46, was found guilty by a jury at Cardiff Crown Court in February of two counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by penetration, along with one count of causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
Newport Crown Court heard at a sentencing hearing on Thursday, May 14, that the abuse was brought to light by a comment from the victim to her mother.
During the trial, it was disclosed that Toyer, of Haven Way, Abergavenny, had told her not to tell anyone.
In a moving victim impact statement, the girl’s mother revealed the devastating impact Toyer’s crimes have had.
She said: “The impact upon her and the family has been devastating and is ongoing.
“The disclosure was horrifying. It became immediately clear she’d been sexually abused.
“She became afraid, confused and unable to sleep. She had always been a fun-loving, confident and fiercely independent child, but almost overnight that disappeared.”
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She added: “Her childhood innocence has been taken from her.
“The harm lives with us daily.”
Owen Williams, defending Toyer, said his client was of previous clean character, adding he had been successful in business and had led an industrious life, including as a reservist firefighter in the Abergavenny area for many years.
Judge Eugene Egan highlighted the vulnerability of the victim, and said he was increasing the sentence in recognition of the victim impact statement and Toyer telling her not to tell anyone what had happened.
“The effects upon the victim have been profound and will continue to be,” he said.
For the two sexual assault offences, Toyer was jailed for 16 years, including an extended licence period of one year.
Toyer must sign the sex offenders register for life, and the judge made a sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order, both lasting 20 years.
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