Man convicted at Swansea Crown Court in 2017 has case sent to Court of Appeal

THE CRIMINAL CASES REVIEW COMMISSION has referred a man’s convictions for child sexual offences to the Court of Appeal because new information undermines the credibility and reliability of the complainant’s account.

The man, referred to as Mr HS, was convicted in 2017 at Swansea Crown Court of four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, four counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of attempted rape of a child under 13.

He was sentenced to an extended sentence of 16 years, comprising 15 years’ imprisonment with an extended licence period of one year.

There was a single complainant who alleged the offences occurred when she was in Mr HS’ company between 2005 and 2010. The complainant was aged five to 11 at the time of the alleged offences, and she disclosed the offences at the age of 15.

The prosecution case relied on evidence from the complainant and from those to whom she had made her disclosures. Mr HS gave evidence in his defence, denying any sexual activity with the complainant, but was convicted.

In March 2018, the Single Judge refused Mr HS permission to appeal against conviction and sentence. He did not renew his application to the Full Court. The CCRC received an application to review the conviction in February 2023.

During its review, the CCRC considered post-trial evidence that could significantly undermine the credibility and reliability of the complainant’s account.

The account given by the complainant at trial was the prosecution’s main evidence in this case. Consequently, the credibility and reliability of this account was, and remains, fundamental to the safety of Mr HS’ convictions.

The CCRC has found that based on this new evidence, there is a real possibility that the convictions will not be upheld and is referring them to the Court of Appeal.

Identities in the CCRC’s media release have been anonymised to protect the identity of the complainant.

The CCRC is an independent body set up under the Criminal Appeal Act 1995. It is responsible for independently reviewing suspected and alleged miscarriages of criminal justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If a case is referred, it is then for the appeal court to decide whether the conviction is unsafe.

The CCRC has anonymised the defendant in this referral.

SOUTH WALES POLICE is appealing for information about the unsolved murder of taxi driver John ‘Jack’ Armstrong more than 40 years ago.

Mr Armstrong was found murdered near Bridgend in October 1979 after he collected a customer from Cardiff in his taxi.

His death has been regularly reviewed by the South Wales Police Specialist Crime Review Unit and detectives are currently investigating his death.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Davies said: “We have been working on reviewing this unsolved murder for several years and the case has been the subject of media coverage and featured in a TV documentary series.

“Tragically, his daughter Jean, who featured in the TV documentary and expressed her hope that the killer would be found, passed away recently before she was able to see justice for her dad.”

On October 5, 1979, Jack, as he was known by family and friends, radioed in to confirm he’d collected the fare from a Fairwater pub, but was not heard from again.

His blood-stained taxi was found later that evening in Treoes Lane, Treoes, near to the Waterton Industrial Estate in Bridgend.

But it wasn’t until three days later that his body was found some 11 miles away on Cowbridge Common. Mr Armstrong had sustained catastrophic head injuries.

Despite extensive enquiries at the time, which saw hundreds of statements taken and exhibits examined, Mr Armstrong’s killer has never been found.

As part of the review, exhibits have been re-examined and witnesses have been spoken to in the hope that detectives will be able to identify and trace the killer.

DCI Davies added: “Despite the passage of time since Mr Armstrong’s death, we remain as committed as ever to bring justice for Jack and his family.

“If the killer is still alive then they are living with the knowledge of what they did for almost 47 years. I’d appeal to anyone who believes they know the identity of the killer to do the right thing and come forward.”

Anyone with any information which could assist detectives is urged to contact the Review Unit via 101, quoting occurrence 2000304349 or by using the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) – https://mipp.police.uk/operation/62SWP20B17-PO1

Case listed at Swansea Crown Court following magistrates’ ruling in December

AN APPEAL is due to be heard at Swansea Crown Court in a long-running case involving a Pembrokeshire woman and the forfeiture of dogs following enforcement action by the county council.

Julia Goodgame has appealed against forfeiture orders made by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 11), after being prosecuted by Pembrokeshire County Council in connection with breaches of a Community Protection Notice.

The case is listed before the Crown Court for directions, with the appeal understood to relate specifically to the forfeiture orders imposed by magistrates. The council previously confirmed that four dogs were removed from the property and placed in an approved animal welfare centre following the court’s decision.

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “The defendant has appealed against the Forfeiture Orders which were made by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on December 11th.

“Pembrokeshire County Council will respond in due course. As the case is ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”

The appeal comes amid renewed concern from residents in the Bryn-y-Derwydd area of Trefin, who say they feel frustrated by what they describe as a lack of effective enforcement while the legal process continues.

Members of the local community allege that conditions linked to the property have deteriorated again, raising environmental health concerns. Residents claim the situation has had a wider impact on neighbouring homes, including reports of vermin and unpleasant odours, and say they feel their complaints are not being adequately addressed.

The Herald understands that council officers, including environmental health, are aware of the ongoing issues but are limited in what action can be taken while court proceedings remain live.

The Crown Court hearing is expected to clarify the scope of the appeal and set out how the matter will proceed. Further reporting restrictions may apply depending on the court’s directions.

This newspaper will continue to follow the case and report developments as they can be lawfully published.