Woman learns of her abuser's death via Facebook

Robert Rixon was found guilty of sexually abusing pupils while working as a school swimming instructor

A woman abused by her swimming teacher as a child has criticised authorities, saying they did not tell her he was dead.

Paedophile Robert Rixon, 77, was serving a 25-year sentence at HMP Parc, in Bridgend, for sexually abusing five girls when he died in June.

But one victim suffered a "great deal of pain" on finding out from Facebook he had died and worried others may not know.

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has been approached for comment.

HMP Parc director Heather Whitehead quit last month after 10 inmates died in the three months from 27 February.

Rixon was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court in 2022 after being found guilty of 28 charges of sexual assault, including one of rape.

He abused three girls while working as a swimming instructor at Porthcawl Comprehensive between 2000 and 2005 and later assaulted two other girls while running a lifesaving club at Heronsbridge School, in Bridgend, between 2013 and 2015.

All the girls were aged 11 to 13 when they were abused.

An investigation was launched in 2018 after one woman reported her abuse at the hands of Rixon.

Four more victims were identified by police.

Solicitor Dino Nocivelli, speaking for one of them, said: "My client understandably feels emotionally conflicted after hearing of Rixon's death.

"But the greatest feeling is one of relief that this man can never abuse another child.

"The fact that my client only found out about his death randomly through Facebook rather than through official routes is something that has caused her a great deal of pain.

"Serious questions must now be asked of the probation service regarding the measures in place to inform survivors of the deaths of their abusers, and whether other survivors of Rixon's abuse have been informed of his death.

"Survivors deserve better and nobody should ever have to find out such distressing news in this manner."

Mr Nocivelli said his client was abused by Rixon over several years.

His 2022 conviction was four years after she first reported the matter.

Mr Nocivelli said: "She feels cheated by the slow pace of the criminal justice system and that Rixon only served about 18 months of a 25-year prison sentence.

"My client continues to live with the impact of Rixon's abuse and sadly faces a life sentence of trauma."

Many of the recent Parc deaths have been linked to drug abuse, but it is understood Rixon's was not.

HMP Parc said his death would be investigated and the cause determined by the coroner.