A “dangerous and predatory” former special constable has been jailed for 19 years after being convicted of rapes and a string of other sex offences.
Philip Gregory, of Llanegryn Street, Abergynolwyn, near Dolgellau, Gwynedd, had “systematically abused children and young adults” for nearly 30 years, prosecutor Elen Owen had told his trial. He denied the allegations.
Judge Timothy Petts, sitting at Mold Crown Court, said the 67-year-old had been found guilty by a jury of 14 offences against five victims.
He told him: "You are a dangerous and predatory offender who evaded justice for many years."
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Gregory had worked at a holiday complex and also owned a B&B. At one stage he had been a special constable in North Wales. But the judge said: "That’s a double-edged sword because it was your standing and good character which was part of the reason victims felt they wouldn’t be believed if they came forward."
Gregory had a “predilection for vulnerable females” and offended for the vast part of his adult life, Judge Petts said.
He added: "I want to pay tribute to the victims who had the courage to come forward and give evidence.”
Outlining one of the charges, the prosecution said Gregory had raped a petrified woman in a toilet when he was staying at a caravan site.
At the sentencing hearing on July 28 the prosecutor outlined victim impact statements, with one woman describing how the abuse had a “profound and everlasting” effect on her. She told Gregory: "I have felt so much hatred towards you."
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Matthew Corbett Jones, defending, said Gregory had made some positive contributions to his community through his work and charitable work. He was in “fragile” health.
He added: "The defendant maintains his innocence so far as these matters are concerned."
Speaking after the case, Det Con Gareth Wilcox Jones, from the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, said: “This has been a long and complex investigation involving cases of serious sexual offending against several victims - the majority of whom were children at the time they were abused, and which occurred at various locations in the UK over a 30-year period.
“It is pleasing that the judge has sent a robust message that serial abusers like Philip Gregory cannot evade justice forever and that survivors of childhood abuse can achieve justice no matter how long has elapsed.”
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