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Crime

More than 1,100 sexual offences reported in Pembrokeshire

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Dyfed-Powys Police urge victims to come forward as prosecutions fall

MORE than 1,100 sexual offences have been reported in Pembrokeshire over the past three years, new figures show.

Statistics obtained by Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice reveal that 1,195 offences were recorded in the county between 2022 and 2025.

Across the Dyfed-Powys Police area, 1,666 sexual offences were recorded in 2024/25 alone, compared with 1,495 in 2023/24 and 1,751 in 2022/23.

Campaigners say the figures highlight an ongoing rise in reporting, but warn the majority of victims are still not coming forward.

Carmarthenshire records highest figures

Carmarthenshire saw the highest number of offences across the force area, with 1,537 cases recorded since 2022. Pembrokeshire was next with 1,195, followed by Powys (1,131) and Ceredigion (977).

The most common offences include sexual assault on females (694 cases) and rape of females aged 16 and over (636 cases). Other recorded crimes include sexual assaults on children, exposure, voyeurism and sexual communication with children.

Survivors call for change

Policy Advisor at The Survivors Trust, Lucy Duckworth, said many victims are reluctant to report offences due to fear of retraumatisation.

“Of the 15% of offences that are reported, only 1.6% will result in a prosecution,” she said talking about the national figures. She added: “This isn’t a system that needs reforming, but one that simply isn’t working and isn’t delivering for victims.”

She also called for a cultural shift to tackle what she described as a “victim-blaming culture.”

Police response

Detective Superintendent Anthony Evans, force lead for Rape and Serious Sexual Offences, told The Herald:

“Dyfed-Powys Police recognises the physical and psychological harm that rape and sexual offences inflict on individuals and the wider community.

“One of our priorities as a force is to provide a compassionate response to victims of rape and serious sexual assault, and the relentless pursuit of offenders.

“We work closely with partner agencies, the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner, and third sector agencies to provide a robust and co-ordinated victim-centred response to crimes of this nature.

“We encourage anyone who is a victim of rape or sexual assault to come forward and report these crimes to us. We have specially trained officers and partners who are ready to offer the support needed, as we seek to bring offenders to justice.”

Prosecutions and compensation

The figures come as the Crown Prosecution Service faces growing criticism over abandoned rape prosecutions, which have risen nationally from 160 in 2020/21 to 608 in 2024/25.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority reported 14,665 applications for sexual assault or abuse compensation in 2024/25, up from 10,309 two years earlier. But the number of settled claims and payouts fell sharply, from 5,703 claims worth £65.2 million in 2022/23 to just 2,217 claims worth £23.4 million in 2024/25.

Crime

Two Milford Haven men sent to Crown Court on GBH charges

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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.

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Crime

Aberystwyth man remanded after admitting cocaine supply

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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.

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Crime

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

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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.

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