Man raped boy and collected weapons in preparation for the end of the world

A convicted paedophile who served in the Royal Navy and kept weapons in his house in preparation for the "end of the world" raped and sexually abuse a young boy. He left his victim feeling "less than a man" and "devoid of worth" as a result of the abuse he suffered.

James Carr, 68, of Bridgend, raped and sexually abused his victim in actions described by a judge as a "campaign of abuse" and a "serious historic offence".

Carr's sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Wednesday heard he directed verbal abuse towards the victim, calling him a "puff", and showed him "nothing but cruelty, coldness and abuse".

The abuse began with Carr forcefully kissing the victim and touching his penis and he later raped the child. In his sentencing remarks Judge Jeremy Jenkins said: "This had a devastating effect on (the victim) and will live with him for the rest of his life."

As a result of the abuse the victim attempted to take his own life on several occasions and underwent therapy, the court was told.

Carr also kept weapons at his home including a machete because he was "preparing for the end of the world".

In 2018 the defendant was convicted of possessing indecent images of children and admitted watching such material for 14 years. It was that conviction which led to the victim of his abuse contacting the police.

Carr, of Maesgals, Bryntirion, was then convicted of offences of rape, attempted buggery and indecent assault.

In a victim personal statement read to the court by Mark Wyeth KC, the victim said: "When I was asked how (the defendant's) actions affected me I was too overwhelmed to write anything. I was sat in tears thinking how my life would have been had I not endured him.

"It took me several years to get the courage to say what he had done to me. I felt dirty and used for most of my life, devoid of worth and unworthy of other people's lives.

"He made me feel like it was my fault and what I deserved. I hid myself from the world in every sense of the word. He made me feel less than a man. For so long I held the secret.

"I've found it difficult to bond with and trust other males. What he did was twist me into the person I am today. I've had trouble staying in jobs and since I reported the crime I have experienced higher levels of fear and anxiety."

In mitigation David Pinnell said his client Carr had served in the Royal Navy and had been stationed in locations including the Falkland Islands and the Arctic. He also acted as a carer for his parents.

Carr was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, of which he will serve two-thirds before he is eligible for parole.

The defendant was also made subject to sex offender notification requirements, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order for the rest of his life.

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