A leading Ceredigion trade unionist who was once shortlisted as a parliamentary candidate has been jailed for 40 months for sexual assault on a female and causing actual bodily harm.

Owain Davies, 39, the Ceredigion branch secretary for UNISON, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday.

The Ceredigion County Council worker, who had denied the charges, was convicted following a trial last month and was subsequently remanded in custody.

He also received a five-year restraining order, was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years and barred indefinitely from working with children and vulnerable adults.

Back in May 2013, Davies, of 11 Bro Gido, Gilfachreda, made a shortlist of three for Plaid’s Westminster candidate ahead of the 2015 General Election – a role which eventually went to Mike Parker.