Paedophile raped girl after early release from jail

Mar 10 2008 by Katie Bodinger, South Wales Echo

THE mother of a paedophile victim has spoken of her disgust after he attacked again following an early release from prison.

Shaun Jerome, 24, a former sports shop assistant from Ely, Cardiff, served only half of an 18-month prison sentence after being convicted of having sex with a 14-year-old he had groomed on the internet.

Two years on, he is due to be sentenced for admitting the rape of a 12-year-old girl and having sex with a 14-year-old girl.

The mother of Jerome’s first victim said: “I’m appalled that he has done it again, I can’t believe it. I don’t know how he was able to do it.

“I was disgusted with the sentence. After everything he put us through, nine months was not enough.”

She also revealed Jerome got in touch with her daughter, now 17, months after his release, through internet social networking site Bebo.

“When he got out of prison, he contacted my daughter on the internet, pretending to be somebody else. But she recognised all his friends and certain phrases he was using. He said he had joined a band and was trying to invite her to a music session. He said he talked to lots of young girls on the internet and said they all thought he was their boyfriend.”

The mother of the 12-year-old who was raped said they had welcomed him into their home, unaware of his crimes.

After grooming the girl with gifts of sweets and even an MP3 player, Jerome raped her and subjected her to sexual abuse.

“I’d never have let Jerome near my girl if I’d known of his past,” said her mother.

“How was he allowed to worm his way into our home?”

In a statement, South Wales Police said: “We can confirm that a 24-year-old man from the Cardiff area has been charged and pleaded guilty to four sexual offences against two females under the age of 16 and possession of indecent images.

“As legal proceedings are ongoing, we will not comment further on this specific case.”

Jerome was sent to prison in October 2005, banned from working with children and placed on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

He will be sentenced for his latest crimes at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday.

katie.bodinger@mediawales.co.uk