News
Sex offender hid with monks at Caldey Island for seven years
CALDEY ISLAND abbey is at the centre of a new scandal this weekend after it emerged that a wanted sex offender was hiding at the abbey for seven years.
Paul Ashton lived amongst Cistercian monks until he was found in 2011, taken back to the mainland and jailed in 2011.
This week, The Pembrokeshire Herald ran a lengthy article in its print edition, written by Dr Amanda Gearing for The Guardian newspaper, revealing a string of allegations against Father Thaddeus Kotik dating back to the 1970s and 1980s.
Caldey Island’s abbey has been keen to emphasise to the press that the Kotik allegations are of a historical nature and no members of the current religious community were on the island at the time. However, victims of the alleged abuse claim there is at least one monk still alive who knew Kotik and say the abbot himself knew Kotik from 1990, two years before the monk died in 1992.
Questions will be raised as to how Ashton, a suspected sex offender wanted by the police, was able to live at the abbey so recently and for so long. Currently eleven alleged victims have been identified, and the police are investigating. But current about Daniel van Santvoort, has been in post since1999.
Following the revelations about Kotik, whistle-blowers came forward to describe how Ashton lived on the island under the name Robert Judd.
A whistleblower passed on photographs to The Guardian which they took of plainclothes police officers escorting Ashton to the a boat in July 2011.
At Chichester Crown Court on 1 March, Ashton admitted possessing more than 5,000 indecent images of children and was jailed for 30 months. The court was told he was found after a tip-off was made to Crimestoppers.
Speaking after Ashton’s conviction, DC David Midgley said: “Credit must go to the anonymous informant to Crimestoppers who became suspicious and rang in. Thanks to their actions, Ashton was finally brought to justice after spending nearly eight years in hiding.
“In each image, a child was a victim of crime. The length of the sentence shows how the justice system will punish those who download indecent images of children.”

Abbot: Brother Daniel van Santvoort
Crime
Theft case over Tresaith beach items discontinued in court
A THEFT case relating to items taken from a Pembrokeshire beach has been discontinued at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.
Gryffydd Morgan, aged 52, of Bro Arth, near Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire, had been due to stand trial in connection with alleged thefts at Tresaith Beach.
Morgan had denied two charges of theft, contrary to the Theft Act 1968.
The court previously heard that the allegations related to incidents on July 18, 2025, when it was claimed that a tent and a deck chair belonging to Clare Marshall had been stolen.
A second charge alleged that a tent belonging to Beverly Walker had also been taken on the same date.
Morgan had entered not guilty pleas to both charges at an earlier hearing.
However, when the case returned to court on Friday (Mar 27), the prosecution offered no evidence.
As a result, magistrates formally dismissed both charges.
No further details were given in court as to why the case had been discontinued.
News
West Wales man remanded in custody over serious sexual assault charge
A MAN has been remanded in custody after appearing before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court charged with a serious sexual offence alongside a number of other alleged offences.
Lyndon Robinson, aged 32, of no fixed abode, appeared before magistrates on Friday (Mar 27).
Robinson is charged with assault by penetration, contrary to Section 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
The court heard that the allegation relates to an incident on December 11, 2025, in Wales, during which it is alleged that Robinson intentionally penetrated the vagina of a woman with his finger without her consent and without a reasonable belief that she was consenting.
The complainant is entitled to lifelong anonymity.
The court was also told that Robinson faces additional charges, including intentional strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and harassment causing fear of violence, relating to the same complainant.
No pleas were entered during the hearing.
Due to the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to Swansea Crown Court for trial.
Robinson was remanded in custody.
Bail was refused on the grounds of the nature and seriousness of the offences, the risk of further offending, the risk of causing injury or fear of injury to an associated person, and the risk of interference with witnesses or obstruction of justice.
Robinson is due to appear before Swansea Crown Court on Monday, April 27, at 9:00am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Entertainment
Moby Dick returns to Fishguard as festival secures £44,300 grant
A CELEBRATION of one of Hollywood’s most memorable moments in Pembrokeshire is set to take place this autumn, as Fishguard prepares to mark seventy years since the filming of Moby Dick.
The Ar Ymyl y Tir/On Land’s Edge Festival has secured £44,300 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to commemorate the 1956 classic, which brought global attention to Fishguard and Goodwick.

Directed by John Huston and starring Gregory Peck, Richard Basehart, Orson Welles and Leo Genn, the film used Fishguard Bay as a backdrop for scenes featuring Captain Ahab’s ship, the Pequod. Many local residents were recruited as extras, while cast and crew stayed in the Fishguard Bay Hotel and Fishguard Arms.
Memories of the production remain vivid in the community, with stories passed down over generations — including the loss of a seventy-foot model whale at sea, a Miss Fishguard dancing with Leo Genn at the Town Hall, and Gregory Peck being spotted in local shops.
Organisers say this year’s festival will bring those memories back to life while also looking to the future.

Events will include a lantern parade led by a giant model whale created by Small World Theatre, literary talks exploring the history of whaling, and an augmented reality experience placing a virtual whale in Fishguard Bay.
The project will also collect photographs, souvenirs and personal recollections from local people, alongside discussions on marine conservation, maritime heritage and changing attitudes towards whaling.
Further highlights will include a screening of Moby Dick at Theatr Gwaun, an exhibition featuring ‘Humpy’ — the humpback whale that appeared in Fishguard Bay in 2024 — and the creation of a commemorative mural.
OLE chairman Dr Patrick Thomas said the funding represented a major boost for the project.
He said: “Together we will create a joyous celebration of a remarkable episode in the history of Fishguard and Goodwick, and ensure that people’s living memories of that time are recorded and preserved for posterity.”
Cliff Benson, founder of Sea Trust Wales, said the festival would also highlight the importance of protecting marine life.
He said: “We are delighted to take part in the On Land’s Edge Festival and highlight the need to protect whales, dolphins and porpoises rather than hunt them.
“Part of our contribution will be a presentation at Theatr Gwaun exploring how attitudes around the world have shifted towards conservation.
“There will also be other contributors enhancing the festival over the weekend, which we believe will appeal to all ages, from local residents to visitors.”
The project has also received backing from Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council, along with local history groups Ein Hanes and Hanes Abergwaun.
Town mayor Cllr Billy Shaw welcomed the news.
He said: “This will add another fantastic festival to Fishguard and Goodwick’s growing list of events.
“Every event we hold helps promote the twin towns on both a local and national stage, and this one offers something unique that will attract visitors and locals alike.”
-
Business4 days agoTaxi fare shock in Milford Haven as drivers switch to meters
-
Business5 days agoCould Primark be coming to Haverfordwest? Major retailer in talks for former Wilko site
-
Crime6 days agoChild rapist found with abuse images after moving to west Wales
-
Crime7 days agoMilford Haven drug dealing pub boss who boasted of ‘best coke around’ jailed
-
Sport6 days agoHaverfordwest secure bonus-point win over title-chasing Tumble
-
Community7 days agoCharlie the ventriloquist doll returns to Pembroke Dock after 100 years
-
Health4 days agoAverage of 18 deaths a week in Wales linked to A&E delays, figures reveal
-
Crime5 days agoArmed police attend knife-related incident in Fishguard street








