Man jailed following sexual activity with child

Jean Cardelli aged 39, was sentenced at Newport Crown Court yesterday (Monday January 30) to a total of six years and eight months for engaging in sexual activity with a child.

Cardelli groomed and abused a 15-year-old from Cardiff having previously met the victim while she was on holiday in Spain. Cardelli entered a guilty plea to four counts of sexual activity with a child and three counts of possession of indecent images of children.

In September 2022 the victim’s mother contacted police with concerns that her daughter was being exploited by an older male.

Investigations revealed that the 15-year-old victim had met Jean Cardelli whilst on holiday in Spain, and was subsequently groomed online by him. Cardelli, an Italian national living in Spain, travelled to the UK to meet the victim.

Whilst in Cardiff he met the victim and took her to an Airbnb and engaged in sexual activity with her on numerous occasions. Cardelli filmed the offences he committed.

He was later traced to an address in north Cardiff where he was arrested.

Investigating Officer, Detective Constable Simon Thomas said:

“This was a challenging investigation and I want to pay tribute to the victim for her courage in supporting the investigation. Breakthrough evidence was secured from Cardelli’s mobile phone while he was in custody.

“After charge we continued to engage with and support the victim. She allowed the investigators access to her private Snapchat account which had a considerable impact on the outcome of the investigation.

“Clearly Cardelli is a dangerous individual, and I am pleased that we were able to secure a conviction for the victim and her family.”