Teenager's Terrifying Attacks on Women

A teenager from Cwmbran, Joshua Lovering, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of terrifying attacks on women.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Lovering, now 20, targeted three women, carrying out acts of violence, sexual assault, and threats with a knife.

In the first incident, Lovering met an 18-year-old woman at a park in Pontypool. He became aggressive, pushed her onto a bed, and attempted to assault her. When she resisted, he threatened her with a knife, saying, "If you don't [stop] f****** screaming I am going to use it. We're going to have sex if you want it or not."

Lovering's second attack involved entering a woman's home without permission. He pushed her onto a sofa, attempted to remove her leggings, and penetrated her with his thumb. He fought with the victim, ripped her phone from her, and tried to remove her clothes before fleeing when she threatened him with a glass jar.

In the third attack, Lovering locked an "extremely vulnerable" woman in a hotel room and demanded she have sex with him. He threatened her with a knife and held her captive for 20 minutes, leaving her traumatized and fearful for her life.

Lovering pleaded guilty to assault by penetration, affray, sexual assault, and threatening a person with a knife in a private place. He has a history of similar offenses, including sexual assault and possession of a knife in a public place.

Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke sentenced Lovering to an extended sentence of 12 years in custody, followed by a four-year extended licence period. She deemed him a dangerous offender posing a risk of serious harm to women.

The judge also imposed restraining orders to protect the victims and a 16-year sexual harm prevention order.