Accused tells jury claims did not happen as trial hears evidence about alcohol use and alleged controlling behaviour

A MAN accused of sexually abusing a child in Pembrokeshire more than fifteen years ago has denied the allegations while giving evidence at Swansea Crown Court.

Thomas Kirk, aged 50, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, is accused of orally raping and sexually assaulting a child aged between 13 and 15-years-old in the Pembrokeshire area between 2007 and 2008.

The jury has heard allegations that Kirk forced the child to perform oral sex, compelled her to remove her clothing and digitally penetrated her, leaving her distressed and in tears.

Kirk, who is originally from Scotland, gave evidence in his own defence and denied carrying out any of the acts alleged.

When the accusations were put to him directly, he told the court: “No, it did not happen.”

Alcohol use disputed

The court heard that Kirk, who has recently been employed as a grounds worker, has struggled with alcoholism for much of his life and accepted that there were periods when he could not remember what he had done the previous night.

Counsel for the prosecution, Robin Rouch, suggested that Kirk had been drinking heavily around the time of the alleged offences and that alcohol may have been a contributing factor.

Kirk denied this, telling the jury he had stopped drinking around 2007 and did not consume alcohol at home.

“I would have the occasional drink at work Christmas events, but I would never have alcohol at home,” he said.

“That is a lie, isn’t it, Mr Kirk?” Mr Rouch put to him.

“No,” Kirk replied.

The prosecution suggested that witnesses would say Kirk regularly drank vodka mixed with energy drinks and kept bottles of vodka at his home during the relevant period.

“It’s true, Mr Kirk, that you had a bottle of vodka in the house and were drinking vodka from a glass, wasn’t you?” the court heard.

“No, I wasn’t,” Kirk responded.

Allegations of controlling behaviour

The jury also heard allegations that Kirk became controlling towards the child after learning she had lost her virginity.

It was suggested he frequently checked her phone messages and attempted to control what she wore and who she spoke to.

“I was protective, not controlling,” Kirk told the court.

When asked whether he could think of any reason why the alleged victim would fabricate such serious allegations, Kirk said he could not.

Background to the case

Kirk first appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court in connection with the allegations in 2023.

At that hearing, he was charged with one count of rape and a further count of sexual assault involving a girl who was aged between thirteen and fifteen at the time of the alleged offences.

The court was told the offences were alleged to have taken place between May 2007 and May 2009 at an undisclosed address in the Pembrokeshire area.

Because both offences are indictable-only, magistrates sent the case to Swansea Crown Court for trial. No pleas were entered at that stage and Kirk was released on unconditional bail.

Later at Crown Court he pleaded not guilty leading to the trial this week.

On Tuesday, His Honour Paul Thomas KC, told the jury that legal summing up will take place on Tuesday (Dec 17), after which jurors are expected to retire to consider their verdict.

The case continues.

A 28-YEAR-OLD Carmarthen man is to appear in court charged with causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal collision in Carmarthenshire which claimed the life of a 38-year-old dog walker.

Aaron Jones died after being struck by a vehicle in Llanpumsaint on Monday (Dec 23), 2024, while he was out walking his dog.

Daniel Wyke, aged 28, from Carmarthen, was arrested the following day. He has now been charged with one count of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of dangerous driving.

Wyke is due to appear before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jan 15), 2026.

The charges follow what police have described as a lengthy investigation by the Serious Collision Investigation Unit.

Sergeant Sara John said: “Our thoughts remain with Aaron’s family, who continue to be at the heart of this investigation.

“We recognise that this has been a lengthy investigation, and I am grateful to Aaron’s family, and the wider community, for their patience and support while our enquiries have been carried out.

“We will continue to support Aaron’s family as the case progresses, and we seek to provide justice for Aaron and his loved ones.”

Police confirmed that Aaron’s family have asked for privacy at this time.

The collision sent shockwaves through the Llanpumsaint community, with residents previously expressing concern about road safety in the area following the tragedy.

The case will continue through the courts.

POLICE in Pembrokeshire are deploying forensic DNA spray as part of a targeted operation to tackle dangerous and antisocial riding on illegal e-bikes and e-scooters.

Dyfed-Powys Police have begun a series of enforcement operations using SelectaDNA – a forensic spray containing a unique code that can be traced to a specific location, date and time.

Traditionally used to mark property at risk of theft, the spray is now being used to identify individuals and vehicles involved in illegal riding, particularly where offenders attempt to conceal their identities.

The operations follow a sharp rise in complaints, particularly across south Pembrokeshire. Police received 60 reports over a six-month period, with 92 per cent of callers raising concerns about antisocial or dangerous riding. Many reports involved riders wearing face coverings.

Across the Dyfed-Powys force area, officers have seized 19 e-bikes and 28 e-scooters during recent enforcement activity.

The crackdown involves neighbourhood policing and prevention teams, response officers, the force intelligence bureau, the roads policing unit and drone operators, with patrols focused on areas of highest community concern.

Inspector Celt Thomas said officers had received specialist training before the operation began.

“Ahead of the operation, officers were trained in the use of SelectaDNA, which is a spray containing a quantity of unique DNA,” he said.

“It can be used to tag people, e-bikes, scooters or motorbikes, and can pinpoint offenders to a specific location, date and time.

“If offenders are later identified or brought into custody following an incident, their bikes, clothing or even they themselves can be forensically examined and evidentially linked to an offence.”

During the first operation in Pembroke Dock, an illegal e-bike rider was stopped and arrested on suspicion of failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, possession of controlled drugs, drug driving and having no insurance.

The e-bike, which officers said had been heavily modified and was worth between £4,000 and £6,000, was seized and is set to be destroyed.

PC Stuart Gray warned parents to think carefully before buying e-scooters for children this Christmas.

“E-scooters and bikes pose serious safety risks for children, including accidents and injuries,” he said.

“We urge parents to prioritise their child’s wellbeing and consider safer, more appropriate alternatives.”

Inspector Thomas said police would continue to take firm action.

“These riders are causing a huge amount of concern in the area due to their dangerous behaviour and intimidating appearance, and we are committed to resolving the issue,” he said.

“We will continue to target these groups over the coming months and are confident these operations will have positive results.

“We urge members of the community who have information about anyone riding illegally or antisocially to contact us.”

Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.