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Matthew Thomas Jailed for 18 Months for Aldi Assault on Boy, 4

Prosecutors described a 12-minute pursuit captured on CCTV as planned, persistent conduct.

Overview

  • Newport Crown Court sentenced Thomas, 29, and imposed a sexual harm prevention order plus a restraining order protecting the victim.
  • He followed the child and his family around the Aldi in Caldicot for about 12 minutes before touching the boy on several occasions.
  • CCTV played in court showed the offending, and the child alerted his grandfather by shouting "stop doing that" outside the store.
  • Thomas pleaded guilty to assault by touching a child under 13 and has a 2024 supervision order for sexual assault and exposure in a Cwmbran food store.
  • A victim impact statement said the family suffer sleepless nights and now shop online, and the grandfather lost confidence taking the children out.