News
Milford man accused of ‘violently raping’ two 16-year-old girls
THE trial has opened in the case of Nathan John, the 19-year-old Milford man accused of ‘violently raping’ two 16-year-old girls in near identical circumstances 19 months apart.
This afternoon (Monday, Oct 14), barrister James Harston KC, told a jury at Swansea Crown Court how both girls were allegedly led away by John after he complimented them on their beauty.
The Crown maintains that as soon as the girls were isolated, they were both subjected to violent rape.
The first alleged rape took place on the night of October 2, 2022 after the 16-year-old girl met Nathan John at the Circles nightclub, Milford Haven.
“They kissed and danced inside the club and she agreed to let him walk her home,” said James Harston, for the Crown.
“As he did so, he told her she was beautiful. She agreed to kiss him, but this wasn’t enough for him.”
The Crown claims that John then isolated the woman in a lane and took his trousers down.
“What then followed was a frenzy of violent and sexual offending, taking a number of different forms,” said James Hartson.
The Crown states that while John was carrying out the rape and sexual assaults on the young woman, he slapped her across the face and pulled her to her knees by her hair before making her perform other sexual acts on him.
“After he ejaculated inside her mouth, he slapped her again but then he kept asking her what he’d just done.”
The second rape is alleged to have taken place on May 16, 2024 when John began speaking with another 16-year-old girl, this time in Haverfordwest.
“They decided to walk together and, just as he did with the first girl, he started telling her she was pretty,” said James Hartson.
”He led her to a car park and started to kiss her, but she pulled away. He grabbed her throat and she started screaming, but he didn’t take no for an answer. He dragged her down some steps and started pulling her trousers down.”
The Crown alleged that John then proceeded to bend the girl over some railings and raped her.
“He told her that if she didn’t do it, then he was going to kill her,” continued James Hartson. “She was terrified, because earlier in the walk he’d shown her a knife that he was carrying in his pocket.”
After raping her, John punched the girl to her face, causing her to fall to the ground and then ran away.
“Neither of these girls knew each other, so have they colluded in these allegations?” questioned James Hartson.
“ Have they invented these matters?
“And the defendant’s claim that they were both consenting [to sexual intercourse] is garbage, as each complainant resisted and told him to stop. This man committed two violent rapes on two teenage girls in almost identical circumstances, 19 months apart.”
John, of Richard John Road, Milford Haven, faces a total of seven sexual charges, including two charges of rape. He denies all seven offences.
The trial continues throughout this week, and John was remanded in custody.
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
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