A SENIOR JUDGE has criticised the Crown Prosecution Service and police over delays in bringing a teenager to court for a crash that left four people seriously injured at a Pembrokeshire campsite.

His Honour Judge Huw Rees, sitting at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (July 11), said the delay in charging Jack Hale, now 19, was “not comfortable” and contributed to the sentence being suspended.

Hale was sentenced for causing serious injury by dangerous driving after ploughing into tents at Newgale Campsite on August 12, 2023, when he was just 17. Despite the severity of the incident and the life-changing injuries caused to three adults, Hale was not formally charged until May 27, 2025—nearly two years later.

“I am now sentencing a 19-year-old for something he did when he was 17,” said Judge Rees. “This is not a comfortable position for the police or prosecution.”

The CPS offered no clear explanation for the delay other than citing the time taken to obtain a speed expert report. Judge Rees made clear that neither prosecuting counsel nor the court were to blame, but said the system had failed to bring the matter forward in a timely fashion.

The judge said this delay was one of the reasons Hale avoided immediate custody. Hale received a 20-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and must complete 250 hours of community work, 15 rehabilitation activity days, and a 2-year driving ban with an extended test requirement.

Victims’ injuries included broken vertebrae, third-degree burns, PTSD, and long-term physical and financial hardship. A baby and toddler were in tents struck by the car but escaped injury.

Judge Rees told the court: “By luck, and no thanks to your driving, no one was killed. This was a frightening experience for everyone at that campsite.”

But he also acknowledged Hale’s early guilty plea, genuine remorse, clean character, and progress since the crash. Describing the defendant as an “impressive young man,” the judge said the pre-sentence report showed a “low risk of reoffending” and that Hale had demonstrated maturity and insight.

“I hope the public will understand the reason the court has come to this decision,” Judge Rees concluded.

A TEENAGER who crashed a car into a campsite in Newgale, injuring at least four people including a child’s mother, has been sentenced at Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, July 11).

Jack Thomas Hale of Simpsons Cross near Haverfordwest, now aged 19, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving following a late-night collision on August 12, 2023. He was 17 years old at the time and had passed his driving test only three weeks earlier.

The court heard Hale was behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta carrying five passengers—three in the back, and two in the front, with one sitting on the lap of another—when he lost control of the vehicle while approaching a bend on the A487 near Newgale.

The car veered off the road, flipped onto its side, and crashed into tents at the campsite. One tent contained a two-year-old child and another a small baby. Miraculously, neither child was injured, but three adults were seriously hurt and pinned by the vehicle. A doctor who was staying at the site provided immediate triage.

CCTV footage showed the vehicle travelling at 66mph on approach and still doing 55mph in a 30mph zone. Police found no mechanical defects.

Victim injuries

• Oliver Copeland, 17, suffered broken vertebrae in his neck and underwent major surgery.
• Paul Warburton sustained a dislocated hip, fractured clavicle, and rib injuries. He has PTSD and is unable to work.
• Emma Lewis suffered third-degree burns, required skin grafts, and continues to face pain, trauma, and long-term limitations caring for her son.

The judge said: “You were driving at a highly inappropriate speed for that road and conditions—so fast you lost control and hit the kerb.” The car then “travelled over many tents,” he added, saying it was only “by luck and no thanks to your driving” that no one was killed.

Sentence
Despite the seriousness of the incident, Hale was spared immediate custody. He was sentenced to 20 months’ detention, suspended for 18 months. He must complete:

• 250 hours of unpaid community work
• 15 rehabilitation activity days
• A 2-year driving disqualification, with an extended retest required.

The judge said the case fell within sentencing category A2 and initially warranted a four-year term due to the number of victims. However, this was reduced based on Hale’s age at the time, his guilty plea, genuine remorse, and the significant delay in the case reaching court.

Describing Hale as an “impressive young man,” the judge said: “You are at the start of your life. Your victims have aspirations too. Fortunately, they did not lose their lives—but you have affected them both physically and psychologically.”

New trauma-informed approach sees marked increase in justice outcomes

A NEW police initiative offering compassionate, trauma-informed support to rape victims has led to a significant rise in prosecutions and referrals to specialist services across the Dyfed-Powys area.

Dyfed-Powys Police introduced its dedicated Bluestone Team in March 2024, with the aim of improving engagement with victims, raising awareness of available support, and encouraging greater participation in the criminal justice process.

Virtual support and quicker response

One of the key innovations introduced by the Bluestone Team is a rapid video response service for victims reporting offences outside the forensic evidence window. This allows victims to speak with specially trained officers from the comfort of their own homes via video link or phone call.

“This gives victims more control over how and when they disclose their experience,” said Detective Sergeant Ben Staniforth. “It also allows us to gather vital information sooner, which is essential in progressing investigations.”

Victims are also offered immediate access to a crisis worker from New Pathways, the region’s rape crisis and sexual abuse support service—eliminating delays that might otherwise occur. The initiative was shaped in close consultation with the Dyfed-Powys Police victim engagement forum, which provided valuable insight from people with lived experience.

Promising results in first year

Since the launch of the pilot in March 2024, Dyfed-Powys Police has recorded an 18 per cent increase in victims supporting criminal justice outcomes and a 30 per cent rise in those accepting referrals to New Pathways.

In addition, 79 per cent of engaged victims accepted support from an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA)—a 30 per cent increase on the previous year.

DS Staniforth added: “This not only means we can pursue more suspects in serious cases, but also ensures that survivors are getting access to the emotional and practical support they need.”

Turning ‘tells’ into reports

The Bluestone Team has also seen a rise in the number of victims initially disclosing sexual offences to professionals—such as paramedics or GPs—later choosing to make a formal report to police. Between March 2024 and March 2025, 13 victims who had not intended to report the offence went on to support a criminal justice outcome following contact with the team.

“These are people who may not have otherwise come forward,” said DS Staniforth. “Our approach ensures they are aware of both their support options and the justice process—always delivered in a trauma-informed and respectful way.”

Award-winning innovation

In recognition of their efforts, the Bluestone Team was awarded the Innovation and Problem Solving Award, sponsored by Robiquity, at the Dyfed-Powys Police Force Awards on Friday (July 4). The ceremony, sponsored by CDW, was held at police headquarters and celebrated the achievements of more than 20 individuals and teams across the force.

How to report rape or sexual assault:

• Not ready to speak to police? You can still access support: Support after rape and sexual assault | Dyfed-Powys Police
• Ready to report? Visit: Report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences | Dyfed-Powys Police
• By phone: Call 101 for non-emergencies, or 999 in an emergency.