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| Convicted Morriston paedophile David Hart goes on run | Convicted Morriston paedophile David Hart goes on run |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A 60-year-old paedophile taxi driver has gone on the run on the same day he was found guilty of 16 charges. | A 60-year-old paedophile taxi driver has gone on the run on the same day he was found guilty of 16 charges. |
| David Hart, from Morriston, Swansea, failed to show up at the city's crown court for the last day of his trial. | David Hart, from Morriston, Swansea, failed to show up at the city's crown court for the last day of his trial. |
| His victim was just 11 or 12 when he began a campaign of abuse which lasted for 14 years. | His victim was just 11 or 12 when he began a campaign of abuse which lasted for 14 years. |
| A warrant has been issued for Hart's arrest and South Wales Police is appealing for anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact them. | A warrant has been issued for Hart's arrest and South Wales Police is appealing for anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact them. |
| Officers said it was "immediately treated as a top priority". | Officers said it was "immediately treated as a top priority". |
| Hart was convicted of 12 charges of rape, two of indecent assault, one of assault by penetration and one of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Tuesday. | |
| Judge Geraint Walters said his victim had described "some of the gravest sexual offences". | |
| He adjourned sentencing, saying Hart faced "many years" in prison. | He adjourned sentencing, saying Hart faced "many years" in prison. |
| During the trial, the court heard some of the abuse was carried out in front of a camera with hundreds of people watching at times. | During the trial, the court heard some of the abuse was carried out in front of a camera with hundreds of people watching at times. |
| 'Life-changing consequences' | |
| Hart's victim said the abuse had caused extreme pain and she thought she may have been drugged. | |
| She told police: "I blame myself. I never did enough to stop him. I had opportunities to stop him but I was too afraid. I hate myself. I feel disgusted I let him do these things. I dream of it." | She told police: "I blame myself. I never did enough to stop him. I had opportunities to stop him but I was too afraid. I hate myself. I feel disgusted I let him do these things. I dream of it." |
| Judge Walters said it "obviously leaves a permanent psychological mark" and "someone can't be subjected to this behaviour without life-changing consequences". | Judge Walters said it "obviously leaves a permanent psychological mark" and "someone can't be subjected to this behaviour without life-changing consequences". |
| It was thought Hart had been admitted to Morriston Hospital, but police discovered he was not there. | It was thought Hart had been admitted to Morriston Hospital, but police discovered he was not there. |
| He is described as being 5ft 8in tall and although he had a beard and long hair in his police mugshot, he is now clean shaven with short, cropped hair. | |
| A spokeswoman from South Wales Police said "extensive inquiries to trace and arrest him continue". | |
| "Hart is urged to hand himself in to the nearest police station as a matter of urgency," she added. | |
| NSPCC Cymru said it was "vital" that Hart was caught and faced the "full consequences of his abuse". | |
| "We hope [the victim] is now receiving full support to recover as well as satisfaction from knowing her evidence in court helped secure Hart's conviction," a spokesman added. |