Cardiff officer John Stringer convicted of child sexual abuse

John Stringer, a 42-year-old police officer from Cardiff, was found guilty of multiple counts of sexual abuse against a girl under the age of 13. The jury at Cardiff Crown Court delivered five guilty verdicts, including charges of sexual assault by touching and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The offences occurred between December 2019 and July 2021 while Stringer was off-duty. The victim disclosed the abuse to a teaching assistant, leading to Stringer's arrest. During the trial, evidence revealed that Stringer had inappropriately touched the girl and showed her pornographic material, instructing her to act out what she had seen. The victim expressed feelings of discomfort and fear, as Stringer had warned her against telling anyone about the abuse. Stringer’s defense included claims of an autoimmune condition and a misguided belief that discussing masturbation could help the victim. Prosecutors highlighted Stringer's extensive history of accessing explicit content online, with a significant portion of his internet searches related to pornography. This pattern raised concerns about his credibility and intentions. Despite his claims of being a caring and trustworthy individual, the evidence presented in court painted a troubling picture of his actions. Following the verdict, Stringer was remanded into custody and is set to be sentenced on October 28. The case has drawn attention to the serious issue of child sexual abuse and the importance of reporting such incidents, as well as the need for support for victims.