A PEMBROKESHIRE man who caused life-changing injuries to a motorcyclist in a serious crash at Merlin’s Bridge has been sentenced at Swansea Crown Court.

JAMES IAN PUTTOCK appeared before the court on Wednesday (July 2), where he pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving, contrary to section 2C of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

The collision occurred on December 20, 2022, at Merlin’s Bridge, near Haverfordwest, and involved a red Suzuki Splash driven by Puttock and a motorcyclist.

The rider suffered what police described at the time as “life-changing injuries” and was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. The road was closed for several hours while crash investigators examined the scene.

Puttock had originally been due to stand trial, as previously reported by The Pembrokeshire Herald in January 2024. However, he entered a guilty plea ahead of trial.

At sentencing, the court imposed the following:

• 20 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months
• 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days
• 12-month driving disqualification

The Herald understands the crash had a profound impact on the injured rider and their family, who are still dealing with the long-term consequences of the incident.

Former bishop and vicar under police scrutiny as victims speak out

A FORMER senior bishop and a former vicar in the Church in Wales are under police investigation following fresh allegations of historic sexual abuse, The Herald can reveal.

Anthony Pierce, the former Bishop of Swansea and Brecon who was jailed earlier this year for indecent assaults on a child, is now facing further claims dating back decades. South Wales Police have confirmed they are investigating both Pierce and another former cleric.

The Church in Wales has issued a statement apologising “unreservedly” to victims, acknowledging “failings” in how allegations were handled in the past. It follows multiple public accounts from survivors who say their reports were ignored or mishandled.

Concerns about Pierce’s conduct were reportedly raised with Church officials as early as 1986—thirteen years before he was made bishop. One alleged victim, Alisdair Adams, who was a student in Swansea in the 1980s, claims he was assaulted after being invited to Pierce’s home under the pretence of discussing chaplaincy work. He says the Church failed to act when the matter was reported.

Another man, Mark Dickey-Collas, described similar conduct and said he too was invited to Pierce’s home, where he was offered alcohol before the bishop allegedly made sexual advances.

The Church in Wales says it has no record of these reports but is now reviewing its response at the time. Pierce, who served as chaplain at Singleton Hospital and was later appointed bishop in 1999, was sentenced in March to four years and one month in prison after admitting five charges of indecent assault on a boy under 16, carried out between 1985 and 1990.

In a separate account, a woman using the pseudonym Ruth says she was sexually assaulted by Brecon Cathedral’s former choirmaster David Gedge in 2001 when she was 17. She alleges that Bishop Pierce failed to act when the matter was brought to his attention in 2003. Gedge, who died in 2016, continued to work with children for another four years after the incident was reported.

Ruth told The Herald: “He didn’t assault me, but he enabled the man who did to stay in post and possibly hurt others. There was no accountability.”

The Church has confirmed there was no recorded disciplinary action taken at the time. An internal review is now underway into how the Church handled such allegations under Pierce’s leadership.

Other safeguarding failures have also come to light. In 2002, former priest Graham Sawyer raised concerns about inappropriate behaviour by a youth leader in Pontypool. He claims he was warned not to pursue the matter or risk legal consequences. That youth leader, Darren Jenkins, was later jailed in 2006 for the rape of a 16-year-old boy.

Mr Sawyer, who is himself a survivor of clergy abuse, has written to members of the Senedd calling for an independent inquiry into the Church in Wales’s safeguarding culture. He said: “Whenever concerns were raised, they were either ignored or met with hostility. The Church closed ranks.”

The calls for an inquiry come after a number of high-profile safeguarding scandals within the Church. Just last month, the Archbishop of Wales retired following critical reports into his former diocese in Bangor, which highlighted blurred boundaries and a toxic internal culture, including heavy drinking among senior figures.

An independent panel member from the UK’s child sex abuse inquiry has now questioned whether the Church in Wales has done enough to implement reforms since earlier reviews.

Professor Sir Malcolm Evans, who helped lead that inquiry, said: “The Church in Wales needs to engage in serious reflection and undertake robust, external scrutiny.”

The Church has now pledged a full cultural review and safeguarding audit across all Welsh cathedrals. A spokesperson said: “There is no place in the Church for abuse, misconduct, or concealment. We are determined to rebuild trust and ensure the Church is a safe place for all.”

Heritage crime becomes key priority as police forces and government strengthen joint efforts

WALES’ countryside, wildlife and rural communities are set to benefit from strengthened protections under a new three-year strategy launched today (Tuesday, July 9) at the Wales Wildlife & Rural Crime Conference.

The Wales Rural Crime Strategy 2025–2028 builds on the success of the previous joint initiative between Welsh police forces and the Welsh Government, which has helped coordinate efforts to tackle crimes affecting farms, animals, habitats, and rural residents. The updated strategy adopts a comprehensive ‘4P’ approach: prepare, prevent, pursue and protect.

Almost 100 delegates from across law enforcement, government, and conservation sectors gathered at the Welsh Government buildings in Cardiff for the event, chaired by Deputy Chief Constable Nigel Harrison of North Wales Police.

One of the major developments in the new strategy is the elevation of heritage crime as a full priority area, reflecting growing concerns about damage to historic sites and cultural assets across Wales.

Gwent Police also announced at the conference that it will expand its Rural Crime Team to boost enforcement and support for communities across the region.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Jason White, Head of Neighbourhood Policing in Gwent, said:
“Crime in rural areas can have a profound impact on victims and communities. Our Rural Crime Team works closely with partners, landowners, and local groups to address concerns and provide targeted support.
We’re increasing resources this year to help tackle the types of crime that harm livelihoods, isolate individuals, and damage trust.”

The new strategy retains six priority areas, now including:

• Bird Crime
• Farm Crime
• Habitats
• Heritage Crime
• Mammals and European Protected Species
• Networking Rural Support Services

The latter uniquely recognises the need to address mental health and wellbeing in isolated rural areas.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said:
“Wildlife and rural crime are issues of national and international concern. These are not only crimes against nature and people, but also often linked to wider harmful behaviours, including serious organised crime.
Our partnership approach—between government, police, and both statutory and non-governmental partners—is essential. Without that collaboration, much of this work simply couldn’t happen.”

Rob Taylor QPM, the Wales Wildlife and Rural Crime Coordinator, added:
“Our goal is to support those who live and work in rural Wales, protecting world-class farming, rich historical sites, and wildlife habitats.
Strategic collaboration is at the heart of everything we do, and I’m proud that this updated strategy sets out a clear path forward.”

NFU Mutual recently reported that rural crime claims in Wales rose from £2.4 million in 2023 to £2.8 million in 2024. However, overall rural crime rates remain lower in Wales than in many parts of England.

Shadow Rural Affairs Minister Samuel Kurtz MS said: “This announcement will ring hollow with Welsh rural communities, who have seen rural crime statistics increase here in Wales, while Scotland and England have seen a decrease. 

“I’ve raised repeatedly the threat of quad bike theft, livestock worrying, fly grazing and rural crime more broadly in the Senedd, and while I welcome the strategy, there is much more to be done. 

“The Welsh Labour Government’s track record when it comes to supporting rural communities is weak, and I know voters are welcoming the chance to kick them out of office next May.”

The Welsh Government has confirmed funding for the Wales Wildlife and Rural Crime Coordinator role will continue for another three years.