A LLANGOLLEN businessman and former councillor was jailed for five years and four months today(FRI) after he admitted to being a child molester.

John Clemence, 87, who had moved to Australia before being sent back to Britain, had groomed and sexually abused his victim when the complainant was both a child and adult.

Caernarfon crown court heard one offence happened when his wife was close to death.

Judge Timothy Petts told the pensioner :”You have been ambivalent about whether you accept your guilt or not.”

Clemence, living recently in Llanelian Road, Old Colwyn, was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life after he pleaded guilty to five offences involving indecent assaults. “This has had a significant impact,” the judge said.

Judge Petts added :”Given the age you will be when you are released and the low risk you are assessed as posing, unusually, it’s not necessary to impose a sexual harm prevention order.”

Prosecuting barrister Andrew Green said Clemence had been the owner of a café in the Llangollen area but had been touching the victim.

Police were told in 2016 about his shameful past. He had moved to Australia but still had a share in the business. The victim said Clemence had “used his wealth and assets” to buy loyalty from some of those who knew him while the complainant was branded a liar.

“Finding the strength to speak out has been truly liberating,” the victim told the judge. “I have done the right thing.”

John Wyn Williams, defending, said Clemence had been an energetic man who set up a well-known business. He was “public-spirited”, a county councillor, and involved in the community and school.

There was a previous conviction for indecent assault.