Crime

Jealous partner set fire to home after nightclub assault

Published

1 month ago

October 7, 2025

A COURT has heard how a Milford Haven woman said she would rather have been “beaten black and blue” than have her home set on fire by her jealous partner.

In a victim impact statement read to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Candice Evans described Christopher Barrett’s actions as “the worst thing I have ever experienced in my life.”

“This was the worst thing he could have done to me,” she said. “I’d rather have been beaten black and blue than have him do this. My home is everything to me, but he destroyed my safe haven.”

The court heard that Barrett and Ms Evans had gone out for a meal before visiting a nightclub in Milford Haven on the night of September 12. When Barrett saw his girlfriend socialising with another man, he became jealous.

“He punched her in the stomach, causing her to double over,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan. “She then hit him back as she was so angry at being assaulted by him in front of other people.”

Ms Evans later told police she was fearful of returning home but was reassured Barrett had been arrested. However, six days later she discovered her kitchen table, blackened by fire, outside her front door.

“I was shocked, as this certainly wasn’t what I was expecting,” she said.

The blaze caused damage to the kitchen ceiling, floor and sofa, along with a number of unopened parcels.

At the time, Barrett was already subject to a two-year community order for assaulting two emergency workers.

Barrett, 54, pleaded guilty to arson and assault by beating. He appeared before magistrates via video link from Swansea Prison, where he has been on remand since last month.

Defending, Michael Kelleher said the incident followed “the worst six months of his life.”

“He was laid off from work, he left his wife, and then he met Ms Evans, who is 20 years younger than him,” he said. “When he saw her with another man, he overreacted. He knows this was his own fault and his life has now fallen apart.”

Mr Kelleher told the court that Barrett had been drinking at Ms Evans’s home on October 18 and accidentally started the fire.

“He lit a cigarette and left it on the table next to some laundry,” he said. “When he realised what he’d done, he went to put it out. When police arrived, he was outside holding the table. There was little or no planning.”

Barrett has been remanded in custody since the offence and is currently on the rehabilitation wing at Swansea Prison.

He was sentenced to 36 weeks in custody and ordered to pay £400 compensation to Ms Evans, along with £187 surcharge and £85 costs. A two-year restraining order was also imposed, prohibiting any contact with the victim.

Crime

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

Published

2 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

14 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

Crime

South Wales Police praised but told to improve child abuse investigations

Published

18 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Inspectors rate leadership and partnership working as ‘good’ but highlight inconsistent risk assessments

SOUTH WALES POLICE has been praised for its strong leadership and partnership work in protecting children from harm — but inspectors have called for improvements in how the force assesses risk and investigates abuse cases.

A report published on Thursday (Nov 14) by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) examined how the force responds to children at risk, how effectively it investigates allegations of abuse, and how well it works with safeguarding partners.

The inspectors concluded that “the concerted efforts of officers and staff, extending from operational teams to strategic leaders, are helping to achieve better outcomes for children.”

The report rated the force’s leadership, partnership work, and response to children at risk as good, but said performance in assessing risk and investigating abuse, neglect and exploitation was only adequate.

The inspection found that officers were “committed and caring,” and praised the establishment of specialist exploitation teams and the force’s investment in training. However, it also identified inconsistency in the supervision of child protection cases and delays in recording safeguarding decisions.

Assistant Chief Constable Tom Williams said the findings reflected the dedication of staff across South Wales Police and the importance the force places on protecting the most vulnerable.

He said: “Every day our officers and staff, both on the frontline and in specialist roles, work tirelessly to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities from harm. I am really pleased that our work on child protection has been recognised by HM Inspectorate.

“In such a complex area of policing there will be ways we can get better, which is why we have increased training and set up dedicated exploitation teams that have already made a difference in identifying and investigating offences of grooming and child sexual exploitation.

“There is more work to do, but we are totally committed to protecting children from harm and playing an integral role in the wider network of partners across South Wales who keep young people safe.”

South Wales Police urged anyone concerned that a child may be at risk of abuse or neglect to report it, promising that all reports will be taken seriously and investigated.

The full HMICFRS report can be read at: South Wales Police: National child protection inspection – HMICFRS.