Cardiff: Cafe owner who sexually abused boy sentenced

The owner of a charity cafe who sexually abused a teenager has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

Andrew Mackenzie, 55, of Cardiff, was found guilty in May 2021 of four counts of sexually abusing a 14-year-old boy on two separate occasions.

A victim’s personal statement read on the boy’s behalf at Cardiff Crown Court said he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder following the attacks.

He said he also suffered from night terrors, his relationship with his family had suffered and he had used cannabis.

The boy stated in court that although he knew what had happened was illegal, he had not realized how bad it was, but that he now fully understands.

The attacks took place in a hut behind the Coffee and Cakes charity cafe run by Mackenzie.

Profits from the store benefited Poor and Hungry, a nonprofit founded by Mackenzie that helps young people in need and provides meals to those in need.

He founded the charity after claiming to have “turned over” and found God following a life of crime that included long prison sentences for fraud and drug trafficking.

Mackenzie regularly took men he paid for sex to the back of the store.

He came into contact with the boy through one of the “male prostitutes”.

Judge Shoman Khan accused him of showing no respect to the people he had sexual intercourse with, saying: “They only cared about themselves.”

Mr Khan said he was sure Mackenzie knew the boy was only 14 at the time of the attacks.

“I am sure you took care of him,” said the judge.