Lancashire man who travelled to South Wales and committed sexual offences jailed

A man who travelled from Lancashire to Treherbert and committed sexual offences has been jailed, following a South Wales Police investigation.

Samuel Hyde, 35, from Lancashire, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment with an extended licence period of four years following his conviction.

The sentencing took place at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Thursday, October 29, where Hyde indicated guilty pleas to assaulting a girl under 13 by touching, engaging in sexual communication with a child, breaching a sexual harm prevention order, and possession of a knife in a public place.

This follows Hyde messaging the victim for around a week in late June, before travelling down from Lancashire on Tuesday June 30, to try and meet her. This is when the sexual assault happened. The victim managed to escape and call for help. Shortly after officers located Hyde and arrested him, when they found he was in possession of a knife.

Hyde was already subject to a sexual harm prevention order which was given to him at Preston Crown Court in November 2019 which prohibited him from talking to any child under the age of 16 without supervision.

Detective Constable Gareth Thomas said:

“Samuel Hyde’s behaviour towards his victim was shocking and completely unacceptable.
“He took advantage of them and showed complete disregard for their wellbeing.
“We commend the bravery of the victim in coming forward to disclose what Hyde did to them.
“If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual abuse, please do not hesitate to report it to police.”