Crime

Haverfordwest man jailed for sadistic knife ordeal

Published

2 months ago

September 30, 2025

Victim told attacker had been paid to rape and kill her

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been jailed after subjecting his partner to a terrifying knife attack during which he claimed he had been paid to rape and kill her.

Mark Webber, 45, repeatedly threatened his victim with a kitchen knife, cutting her from her ear to her throat, and forcing her to believe she was about to die. Swansea Crown Court heard he told her it was her choice whether she suffered “an easy death or a hard death”.

Violence escalates

The court was told Webber had been in a relationship with the woman for only a month when the attack happened at her flat in Haverfordwest on May 31.

When she refused to fetch alcohol from the shop, Webber struck her in the face and later kicked her in the forehead while wearing shoes. He accused her of “being dramatic” before arming himself with a large kitchen knife, calling her a “lying rat” and a “grass”, and pulling her head back by her hair.

He then cut her face and throat with the blade before taunting her and telling her he had been paid £5,000 to kill her, with another £5,000 promised on completion – and even more if he raped her.

‘Brutal and sadistic’

Prosecutor Emily Bennett said Webber threatened to kill the woman if she called 999. Over the course of the night he headbutted, punched, strangled and terrorised her, at times pressing the knife to her throat.

Eventually, after he fell asleep, the woman managed to contact a friend from the bathroom, who raised the alarm.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told Webber: “You brutally and sadistically attacked a woman who was unfortunate enough to be involved in a brief relationship with you. She understandably thought she was going to die at your hands.”

Sentence

Webber, now of Market Street, Whitland, but originally from Haverfordwest, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, strangulation, and threatening a person with a knife in a private place.

The court heard he has 17 previous convictions for 26 offences, including domestic violence against former partners in 2008 and 2011.

Stuart John, defending, said Webber now recognised the “devastating” impact of his actions and hoped to tackle his issues with drugs and alcohol in custody.

Webber was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. He must serve half behind bars before being released on licence, and was also made the subject of an indefinite restraining order banning contact with his victim.

Crime

Man arrested on suspicion of murder after woman’s body found in Cardigan boatyard

Published

6 hours ago

November 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Victim’s family informed as officers appeal for witnesses who were near the scene from Thursday night

POLICE have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of a woman’s body at a boatyard in Cardigan.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to Netpool Boatyard at around 12:35pm on Saturday (Nov 15) after the body of a woman was found.

A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

The woman’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

There has been an increased police presence in the town since Saturday afternoon, with officers cordoning off the Netpool slipway and nearby access roads. Late on Saturday night, a boat covered in black plastic sheeting was removed from the scene as part of the ongoing forensic investigation.

Detectives are appealing for information from anyone who may have been at, or seen activity around, the boatyard from 9:00pm on Thursday, November 13 onwards.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police via the website https://orlo.uk/olxMg, email [email protected], or call 101, quoting reference 144 of November 15. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Crime

Boat removed from Cardigan scene as police probe young woman’s death

Published

8 hours ago

November 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A BOAT covered in black plastic sheeting has been removed from the Netpool area of Cardigan as part of a major police investigation into the death of a young woman.

The vessel was taken away at around 11:30pm on Saturday (Nov 15) under police escort and is understood to form a key part of the ongoing forensic inquiry. Officers had cordoned off the slipway near the River Teifi throughout the day, with multiple police vehicles and scenes-of-crime teams attending.

Emergency services were first called to the location around lunchtime on Saturday (Nov 15) following a 999 call, and a large police response was reported soon afterwards.

A man was taken to hospital with serious injuries. His condition has not been confirmed, and Dyfed-Powys Police have not yet said whether any arrests have been made.

The woman, believed to be in her early twenties, has not yet been formally identified.

Police are expected to remain in the area while specialist officers continue their investigation.

The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for an official update.

Crime

Police investigate death of young woman in Cardigan

Published

21 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating following the death of a young woman in Cardigan this afternoon (Nov 15).

Officers were called to the Netpool area, near the River Teifi, where the slipway was cordoned off and access restricted while investigations were carried out.

A man was taken to hospital with serious injuries, according to local sources.

Dyfed-Powys Police have not yet formally identified the woman, who is in he early twenties, or confirmed whether anyone has been arrested.

The Herald has contacted the force for an official statement