On Friday, November 7, Rowan Barnett-Davies, a 23-year-old resident of Brecon Road, Hirwaun, was sentenced to eight years in prison at Newport Crown Court.
He had previously pleaded guilty to multiple serious charges involving child sexual offences, including 21 counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, three counts of engaging in sexual communication with a child, 11 counts of distributing indecent images, and seven counts of possessing indecent, prohibited, and extreme images.
The investigation by South Wales Police revealed that Barnett-Davies had exploited 20 victims, all aged between 12 and 16 at the time of the offences. Officers received intelligence regarding Barnett-Davies’ possession of child sexual abuse material, which prompted a comprehensive investigation into his activities.
The investigation escalated on December 20, 2024, when West Mercia Police reported that Barnett-Davies was potentially engaging in sexual communication with a 13-year-old girl. The girl’s mother alerted police after discovering that her daughter had been communicating online with Barnett-Davies, who allegedly sent her money in exchange for indecent images. Responding swiftly, officers from the South Wales Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT) visited Barnett-Davies’ home the following day.
Upon arrival at his residence, officers found Barnett-Davies asleep in his bedroom, with two mobile phones positioned next to him. He was arrested on suspicion of possession of indecent images of children and engaging in sexual communication with a child.
As the investigation progressed, further searches of Barnett-Davies’ home led to the seizure of multiple mobile phones. All three phones found in his bedroom were confirmed to belong to him, and he provided officers with the necessary passwords to access the content stored on them.
In a second arrest on March 19, 2025, officers again located Barnett-Davies at his home. He was arrested on suspicion of additional offences, including possession and distribution of indecent images of children and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Once more, he was cautioned, and the investigation proceeded with the seizure of another mobile phone.
Following a thorough examination of the evidence against him, Barnett-Davies pleaded guilty to the charges.
Detective Constable Amy Partridge of South Wales Police said:
“The conviction of Rowan Barnett-Davies highlights our commitment to protecting children from exploitation. We will continue to work tirelessly to bring those who prey on the vulnerable to justice.
“The court’s decision sends a clear message that such despicable actions will not be tolerated, and offenders will face severe consequences. I urge anyone who suspects child exploitation to report it immediately.”
We recognise the immense courage it takes for survivors of sexual abuse to come forward and share their experiences. It’s a difficult journey, and we want to assure you that you will be heard, treated with dignity, and supported every step of the way through the judicial process.
If you have experienced sexual abuse and are not ready to report to the police, please know that you don’t have to face this alone. There are numerous resources and support services available to help you. You can find more information and assistance here: https://www.south-wales.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/rape-sexual-assault-support/
