GWENT Police apologised for their failing in the handling of the case.

Deputy Chief Constable Carmel Napier said :”Firstly I’m sorry. I want the little girl, her family, friends and the community that she’s a part of, to recover from this horrific incident.

“Clearly, Gwent Police were failing in its response to Malcolm Hewitt and I’m sorry about that. Regrettably I can’t put the clock back, but what I can do and have done is make sure that such organisational failings will not happen again.

“The force has taken huge steps in relation to the IPCC findings. As a result huge investment been made in relation to the department of Gwent Police dealing with protecting the public from harm.

“Sadly recent history has shown us children are at most risk to people known to them. If people in the community do have any concerns, they should feel confident to share them with us.

“My standards require the highest conduct of all our officers. The officers in this case did not meet that standard, and they will receive from me clear management action about their conduct.

“However Gwent Police with our systems, leadership and grip was not sufficient to support these two officers in their role. That has been addressed and I will do my best to make sure that under my leadership this should not happen again, and if it does people will be held robustly to account.”

Sequence of events

  • April 2002 - Hewitt moves to Gwent and registers his address as a caravan as a registered sex offender.
  • April 2007 - The girl tells her mother about sexual abuse.
  • May 2007 - Gwent Police refer the matter to the IPCC.
  • August 2007 - Hewitt found guilty of two charges relating to sexual abuse.
  • September 2007 - Hewitt given an indeterminate sentence.
  • November 2007 - Complaint made against Gwent Police by the girl's mother that the force failed to take proper action, after discovering Hewitt was a registered sex offender and therefore endangering the welfare of children living there.