07/04/2006

Man pleads guilty to toddler abduction

A man has admitted to kidnapping a three-year-old girl, driving her hundreds of miles from her home and sexually assaulting her.

Craig Sweeney abducted the toddler from her home in the Rumney area of Cardiff on January 2.

He then drove the child over the border into England and sexually assaulted her.

Police officers found Sweeney and the child when they began to pursue his car after he jumped a red light. Sweeney then crashed the car on the A4 between Wiltshire and Berkshire.

The toddler was treated in hospital for injuries which the police described as "significant" and was later released.

Sweeney pleaded guilty to four charges of kidnap, three charges of sexual assault and one count of dangerous driving.

Judge John Griffiths-Williams at Cardiff Crown Court said that he had two sentencing options - life imprisonment or imprisoning Sweeney for public protection.

The case has been adjourned until May 12 for sentencing.

Sweeney was remanded in custody.

(KMcA)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

12 June 2006
Paedophile jailed for 'life'
A convicted paedophile who abducted a three-year-old girl from her home and sexually assaulted her has been jailed for life. Craig Sweeney, 24, admitted kidnapping the three-year-old from her home in Cardiff on January 2, 2006.
16 December 2009
Nursery Abuse Workers Jailed Indefinitely
The two women at the centre of the Plymouth nursery abuse case have been given indefinite jail sentences.
13 December 2013
Cough And Cold Medicines Recalled
Thousands of bottles of Tixylix cough and cold medicines, manufactured by drug company Novartis, are being recalled over fears that plastic may have gotten into the medicines. It is understood that Novartis has been made aware of a possible fault in the tamper seal of the bottles.
10 July 2006
Paedophile sentence appeal rejected
Attorney General Lord Goldsmith has ruled that the sentence handed to a paedophile who abducted a three-year-old girl should not be referred to the Court of Appeal. A row erupted over the sentence given to 24-year-old Craig Sweeney who kidnapped the child and sexually abused her earlier this year.
05 April 2011
Sweeney Sentenced To Life Imprisonment
John Sweeney has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murders of Paula Fields and Melissa Halstead. Sentencing took place at the Old Bailey today with the judge imposing a 'whole life order' on Sweeney. Sweeney was also sentenced to ten years for perverting the course of justice - the sentences will run concurrently.