News
Child cruelty offences in Wales increase by more than 50%
THE NUMBER of child cruelty and neglect cases recorded by police in Wales has risen by 53% in the last year, the NSPCC reveals today.
The charity’s annual child protection review – How Safe are our children? – shows parents or carers were reported in connection with 415 offences in 2014-15 compared to 272 in 2013-14.
The increase in recorded cases is reflected in the number of calls made to the NSPCC helpline about children suffering neglect. Last year there were over 16,000 contacts to the UK-wide helpline.
Adults called with fears about children who were hungry and dirty, while other contacts reported parents who were drunk or left their children to fend for themselves.
Research has proven that emotional neglect, where children are ignored and not given the love they need, is increasingly becoming more common.
Neglect remains the most common reason for a child to be placed on the child protection register (CPR) in Wales, with 40 per cent of registrations at 31 March 2015.
In a bid to tackle neglect NSPCC Cymru was commissioned by the Welsh Government to deliver the Welsh Neglect Project. The project aimed to improve multi-agency responses and services for neglected children and their families.
The children’s charity is now calling for an enhanced health visiting service and family support programmes to ensure children’s needs are met and address issues early.
Des Mannion, head of NSPCC Cymru / Wales, said: “It is always worrying when statistics show cruelty and neglect offences are increasing, although one reason could be that the police, public and professionals are better at recognising the various forms of neglect.
“Neglect remains the most common reason for a child to be placed on the child protection register and is still an under-recognised and under-reported issue that often doesn’t come to the attention of police and social services. This means that the number of children suffering from abuse and neglect could be far higher.”
Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, said: “Neglect is the most common form of abuse in the UK and can wreak havoc on a child’s brain development, emotional well-being, ability to form relationships, and mental health. These children are more likely to suffer from depression and post-traumatic disorder, and even suicidal thoughts. For some, neglect can be fatal.
“These levels of neglect simply do not belong to the 21st century. It’s an unacceptable situation which must be remedied. And we can only do that by looking out for vulnerable children and making sure that they are given the right support to prevent longer term damage.”
It’s unclear why the recorded cases have risen so dramatically, but greater public awareness and improvements in how police record offences could be factors.
The most likely cause is that more children who are experiencing cruelty and neglect are now being identified, particularly now that emotional neglect is better recognised and the Serious Crime Act 2015 was changed to include psychological harm
One 14-year-old boy who called the NSPCC’s ChildLine service said: “I know it sounds disgusting but sometimes I feel like eating pet food because it’s all there is in the house. But I just drink water to make me feel full- up instead. My teacher has asked why I’m dressed in dirty clothes and why I never have any lunch money and I don’t know what to say. I feel angry at my parents because they don’t seem to care how miserable it’s making me. If I ask them for anything they become really angry and hit me. Sometimes I feel killing myself will be the only way out.”
Another 13-year-old told how he was forced to steal because he was so hungry: “My mum goes out every weekend to the pub. She doesn’t seem to care about me or my brother. There is never any food at home and when we ask for something to eat she gives us cereal. I’m always feeling tired and can’t concentrate – I only ever think about food when I’m at school. Sometimes I steal packed lunches from the other kids because I know I probably won’t get anything at home. I don’t know if my life will ever change but I can’t live like this anymore.”
The NSPCC is running a campaign – It’s Time – which is calling for all child victims of abuse to be given timely, appropriate therapy to help them overcome their traumatic experience and rebuild their lives.
Crime
Convicted sex offender found with push dagger at Milford Haven home
Uwen Watts was jailed last year after exposing himself to a vulnerable woman and sending her offensive sexual messages
A REGISTERED sex offender who was jailed last year for exposing himself to a vulnerable woman has returned to court after police found a push dagger at his Milford Haven home.
Uwen Watts, aged 20, was sentenced to 29 weeks in prison in December after sending the woman links to pornographic material before exposing his genitals to her.
He was also made subject to notification requirements under the Sex Offenders Register for ten years.
Watts has now appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court after officers discovered the push dagger at his home in Coombs Drive.
Police attended the property on May 15 while monitoring Watts in connection with an unrelated matter.
After entering the address, officers found the push dagger, which is legally classed as an offensive weapon.
Watts pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a private place and was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd.
“The item was found in a private place and he didn’t use it or threaten anyone with it,” Mr Lloyd told the court.
“It wasn’t hidden and he made full admissions to the officers.”
Magistrates fined Watts £40 and ordered him to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £16 surcharge.
A destruction order was also imposed for the push dagger.

Crime
Threatened to smash up parents’ home after demand for alcohol refused
Christopher Sizer’s mother told magistrates the family could no longer cope with his behaviour and repeated demands for money
A MILFORD HAVEN man has been sentenced after threatening to damage his parents’ home with a hammer when they refused his demands for pizza and alcohol.
Christopher Sizer made the threats on March 3 while at his parents’ property with a group of friends.
Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the 38-year-old had repeatedly asked his parents for money, causing increasing tension within the family.
“He came downstairs asking for pizza and drink, but was told there was already food in the house because they could not stretch to buying more,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan said.
Sizer then referred to a hammer he knew was kept inside the property.
“He told his parents he would use the hammer to damage the windows and that he would also kick the doors in,” Ms Vaughan told the court.
In a victim impact statement, Sizer’s mother, Kay Sizer, said she and her husband were no longer able to manage their son’s behaviour.
“If we don’t give him what he wants, he threatens to kill himself,” she said.
“If we have a night away, he phones the hotel and constantly asks us for money. My husband has had to get another job just to bring in additional money.
“We can’t cope with this behaviour any more, nor with the threats he makes against the house.”
Sizer, of Prescelly Place, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to threatening to destroy or damage property.
Defending, Tom Lloyd said Sizer had paranoid schizophrenia and had lost his temper on the night of the offence.
“He said certain things which he regrets,” Mr Lloyd said.
“The defendant needs help and is willing to engage with the probation service to get it.”
Sizer was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including a 12-month alcohol treatment requirement and ten rehabilitation activity requirement days.
A two-year restraining order was also imposed, preventing him from contacting either of his parents directly or indirectly.
The order prohibits him from visiting any property occupied by his parents and from posting anything online or on social media that refers directly to them.
Sizer was fined £100 and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs.
Crime
Man sentenced after smashing four holes in bedroom wall
Adam Vickery damaged the Pembroke Dock social housing property after sending threatening messages to his partner
A MAN has been sentenced after smashing four large holes into the bedroom wall of a social housing property in Pembroke Dock.
The criminal damage was caused on the night of December 21 after Adam Vickery arrived at the rented home of his partner, Cerys Randall.
Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that earlier that evening Ms Randall had received numerous messages from Vickery while she was at work, some of which were threatening.
“When she got home, she walked upstairs to her bedroom and heard a series of bangs,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court.
“She discovered Adam Vickery smashing up her bedroom, so she phoned the police.”
When officers arrived, they found four large holes in the plaster walls of the bedroom.
The property is owned by Pembrokeshire County Council and rented through Ateb housing association, with Ms Randall named as the sole tenant.
“I don’t know how to say this, but I’ve had enough,” Ms Randall said in a victim impact statement read to the court.
“I’ve tried to help so much in the relationship, but there’s nothing more I can do.”
Vickery, of West Percy Street, North Shields, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage and was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher.
“The defendant came down at Christmas to visit his children but found out that Ms Randall was going to take them away from him that night,” said Mr Kelleher.
“He became frustrated and took that frustration out on the wall. He fully accepts that this was wrong and that he now loses his good character as a result.”
Vickery, who had no previous convictions, was fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £16 court surcharge.
No compensation was awarded for the damage because the local authority had not provided sufficient information about the cost of repairing the wall.
-
News7 days agoQuestions raised over Hamilton Accies finances after club’s Haverfordwest friendly
-
Farming5 days agoWorking Carmarthenshire farm opens gates to visitors with new holiday cottages
-
Entertainment6 days agoSwing and big band classics heading to Torch Theatre
-
Sport5 days agoRising rally star claims maiden Mini Rally Challenge victory
-
Crime5 days agoGreenacres confirms seized dogs are safe as investigation continues
-
Farming5 days agoOuter Hebrides stickmaker to make final Royal Welsh Show appearance
-
Sport5 days agoBluebirds give new home strip first run-out
-
Crime7 days agoCarmarthenshire rapist jailed for 22 years for child sex offences






