Crime

Garage boss cleared of rape charge

Published

1 month ago

October 3, 2025

Court Reporter

Jury acquits Haverfordwest man of allegation dating back to 2009

A GARAGE owner has been cleared by a jury of an allegation that he raped a woman more than twenty years ago.

Ceri Morgan, 61, of Cardigan Road, Haverfordwest, was found not guilty at Swansea Crown Court. The charge related to an incident said to have taken place in Haverfordwest between November and December 2009. Morgan, who runs Haverfordwest Auto Centre, denied a single count of rape throughout the proceedings.

The court heard that the complainant told Morgan “no” but alleged he continued regardless. Prosecutor Robin Rouch said she “felt scared throughout,” adding: “She had been ignored and froze. The realisation of what he had done struck her and she started crying.”

Afterwards, the woman confided in a friend, who urged her to contact the police. She also spoke to her doctor, who made a note of what she said. At the time she chose not to take the matter further, but she changed her mind years later and formally reported the allegation on December 18, 2021.

Morgan attended a voluntary interview at Haverfordwest police station in 2022, where he rejected the allegation. He told officers he “didn’t know what she was talking about” and denied ever forcing the complainant to have sex.

The trial was briefly adjourned at the outset for legal arguments, held in the absence of the jury. The judge ruled that the jury would be told of Morgan’s conviction for raping a different woman in Gwent in 1999, describing it as relevant because it could demonstrate a “propensity to commit offences of the relatively rare kind now charged.” The court also reminded jurors that questioning of complainants in sexual offence trials is tightly controlled under section 41 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999.

While the case was pending, Morgan was on bail under conditions that included a nightly curfew from 7:00pm to 7:00am, surrendering his passport, and not contacting the complainant.

After hearing all the evidence, the jury acquitted Morgan of the charge.

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