Horse-riding instructor is 'serious sexual predator' who poses a risk to females

A horse-riding instructor is a manipulative sexual predator who poses a risk to young females, a court has heard.

Former showjumper Guy Simmonds abused a vulnerable young girl after arranging a "so-called threesome" with her and a woman she was in a secret sexual relationship with. Simmonds then tried to hide evidence and has sought to cast himself as a "victim" who was set up.

A judge at Cardiff Crown Court said it was clear from everything she had heard and read about Simmonds that he was "self-obsessed and manipulative" and was a "serious sexual predator". She said an extended sentence was necessary to protect the public from the risk he poses.

Simmonds and his co-defendant Lauren Jarvis had both previously been convicted at trial of engaging in sexual activity when they returned to the dock for sentencing.

James Hartson, prosecuting, told the court that the conviction related to a "so-called threesome" which took place in Jarvis' home in January 2024. He said it had always been the prosecution case that while 26-year-old Jarvis was a "willing participant" in what happened she had been "directed" by 37-year-old Simmonds Don’t miss a court report by signing upto our crime newsletter here.

The barrister said there were "clear elements of grooming" on the part of Simmonds who had then tried to dispose of or conceal evidence by "placing his phone beyond the reach of investigators". The court heard Simmonds claims he "lost" his phone while on the way to the police station.

Guy Simmonds, of Acacia Avenue, Undy, Monmouthshire, and Lauren Jarvis, of Allt-Yr-Yn Court, Newport, denied the allegation but were found guilty by a jury.

James Doyle, for Simmonds, said prior to the conviction the defendant was a man of good character who