Crime

Jury to hear previous rape conviction in Morgan trial

Published

2 months ago

September 29, 2025

Court also rules on limits of defence questioning

A CROWN Court judge has ruled that jurors will be told about a Haverfordwest garage owner’s previous conviction for rape as part of his trial on a fresh allegation.

Ceri Morgan, 61, of Cardigan Road, denies raping a woman, aged 16 or over, between November and December 2009.

Legal arguments were heard on Monday (Sept 29) in the absence of the jury, who were sworn in earlier in the day and then released until Tuesday morning.

Prosecutors applied to introduce Morgan’s 1999 conviction for rape, committed against another victim. Normally, juries are not told about a defendant’s criminal record, but the Crown argued that the conviction showed a pattern of behaviour relevant to the current allegation.

Mr Recorder P Lewis agreed, telling the court: “It would be open to the jury to conclude, first, that the single conviction for rape does indeed establish a propensity to commit offences of the relatively rare kind now charged, and secondly, that as a consequence of such a propensity, it is thus more likely that the defendant is guilty of this offence.”

He stressed, however, that it remained “a matter for the jury” to decide whether the old conviction pointed to a pattern.

The judge also considered an application from the defence to cross-examine the complainant — who cannot be identified for legal reasons — about issues arising from the prosecution’s evidence.

While allowing limited questioning, Mr Recorder Lewis reminded counsel that the law restricts the scope of such cross-examination in sexual offence cases. “We have to stay within the bounds of section 41*,” he said. “It would be unfair otherwise, but I do think questions must be phrased around specific instances, not generalities.”

He added that if the prosecution led evidence about the relationship, “the defence must be entitled to explore that to the degree indicated.”

Mr Recorder Lewis said he was “concerned” about questions framed in vague terms and suggested they be “laser focused” on specific allegations.

The trial continues in Court 4 at Swansea Crown Court, with the jury due back at 10:30am on Tuesday (Sept 30) to hear opening remarks. Morgan remains on bail under strict conditions.

*Section 41 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 limits the extent to which a complainant in a sexual offence case can be questioned about their sexual history. Judges may allow only specific questions if they are directly relevant to the issues in the trial.

Crime

Two Milford Haven men sent to Crown Court on GBH charges

Published

12 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Court Reporter

The incident stems from a violent incident outside The Vibe public house, Milford Haven involving three men – a woman was also wounded in the incident

TWO Milford Haven men have been sent to Swansea Crown Court charged with section 18 wounding after an alleged incident in the town on November 15.

David McCallum, 41, of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates court on Monday (Nov 17). He is accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding a woman in Milford Haven with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

McCallum also faces a second section 18 charge alleging that, on the same date in Milford Haven, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded a man with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

He was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, with the prosecution conducted by Nia James.

On Tuesday (Nov 18), Nathan Abbott, 31, also of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared before District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest magistrates court.

Abbott is charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding a man in Milford Haven on November 15 with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

He was represented by Mike Kelleher, of Welch & Co.

Abbott also gave no plea, and his case was likewise sent to Swansea Crown Court under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Both McCallum and Abbott were remanded on conditional bail.

McCallum’s bail conditions include a curfew from 7:00pm to 7:00am, to be electronically monitored, not to contact directly or indirectly witnesses, and not to enter any public house, licensed club or off-licence.

Abbott’s bail conditions include living and sleeping each night at his home address , not to contact witnesses directly or indirectly, and not to enter licensed premises.

Both men must appear for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing at Swansea Crown Court on December 19, 2025, at 9:00am.

No pre-sentence reports were ordered and no indication was given regarding any victim personal statements at this stage.

Crime

Aberystwyth man remanded after admitting cocaine supply

Published

12 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Court Reporter

Case sent to Swansea Crown Court for sentencing

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has been remanded in custody after admitting possessing cocaine with intent to supply and having £7,000 in criminal cash.

Luke Hutton, 25, of Corporation Street, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Nov 17) for his first hearing. The case was heard by a bench of Mr J Steadman, Mrs M Scott and Mr R John. He was represented by Jessica Hill and Mike Kelleher, while the prosecution was led by Nia James.

Hutton pleaded guilty to two offences arising from a police incident at Yr Hafan, Princess Street, Aberystwyth, on November 14.

The first charge was possessing £7,000 in criminal property, contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The second was possessing a quantity of cocaine, a Class A drug, with intent to supply.

Magistrates were told that Hutton indicated guilty pleas to both matters on the day of his appearance.

Because of the seriousness of the charges, the bench committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence under Section 14 of the Sentencing Act 2020. A pre-sentence report has been ordered.

Magistrates refused bail, citing the likelihood of further offending, the seriousness of the offences and the likely custodial sentence. Hutton was remanded into custody.

He will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on December 1, 2025, at 9:00am, for a committal for sentence hearing, listed for 30 minutes.

Crime

Motorcyclist to return to court over Dinas Cross crash that seriously injured woman

Published

12 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Case adjourned after part-heard trial at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court

A MAN accused of causing serious injury to a woman by careless driving on the A487 at Dinas Cross will return to court next month after his trial was adjourned part-heard.

Aleksandrs Lohins, 61, of Mayfield Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne, is charged with causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving, contrary to section 2C of the Road Traffic Act. The allegation relates to a collision on April 9, 2023, in which motorcyclist Anna Titorchuk suffered serious injuries.

Lohins is alleged to have been riding a Honda GL-1800 motorcycle, registration WJ05 MDE, without due care and attention when the incident occurred.

The trial began at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Nov 17), with a bench comprising Mr J Steadman, Mrs M Scott and Mr R John. Lohins was represented by defence solicitor Mike Kelleher, while the prosecution was led by Nia James.

After hearing evidence, magistrates adjourned the case part-heard.

Lohins remains on unconditional bail.

The matter will resume at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on December 8, 2025, at 11:00am, in Courtroom 1. The hearing is listed for an estimated 20 minutes, and the defendant must attend.