Crime

Second victim takes the stand in day two of Nathan John’s trial

Published

1 year ago

October 15, 2024

THE TRIAL of Nathan John, charged with the sexual assault of two 16-year-old girls in separate incidents in Milford Haven and Haverfordwest, continued today at Swansea Crown Court.

The Milford Haven victim’s stepfather provided a harrowing account of how he first learned of the alleged rape. In the early hours of the morning, he received a photograph from a relative, showing his stepdaughter at a local pub. Shortly after, she returned home, distraught and in tears, saying, “I have been raped.” He described her appearance, noting that her clothes were soaked and covered in mud, which he later handed over to the police for forensic investigation.

The victim’s mother also gave emotional testimony, recalling how she had gone to bed after exchanging texts with her daughter, only to find her later that night standing in the living room, visibly upset and shaking. “She said, ‘I have been raped,’” the mother recounted tearfully. She immediately called the police, and the victim’s muddy clothing was seized as evidence.

Police Officer Wilson, who arrested Nathan John, testified about the events of the night in Haverfordwest. Wilson found John asleep in bed and, after waking him, placed him under arrest.

The court heard that John was swabbed for DNA.

Next, the Haverfordwest victim took the stand. In her evidence the victim bravely explained that she and John, who appeared intoxicated, had been walking together when he suddenly became violent. She pulled away and then he grabbed her neck.

Before the attack started, the victim recounted how John threatened her, saying, “If anyone harms you, I will kill them,” before showing her a knife.

She described how John then dragged her to a secluded area, where he pulled down her trousers and raped her. Despite her desperate screams for help, no one came to her aid. The victim said she had trusted John, who was part of the same group of friends.

A witness, who is a close friend of the Haverfordwest victim, gave a moving account of the moments following the attack. She described how the victim had banged on her door late at night, frantic and in tears, and told her that Nathan John had raped her.

John was arrested near Haverfordwest train station later that night, and officers testified that he was verbally aggressive, slurring his words, and smelled of alcohol. At one point during his transportation to the police station, he allegedly attempted to headbutt a police officer. Body camera footage also captured him shouting, “I never would disrespect my mother,” while threatening to harm both the police and the victim.

In addition to the witness’s testimony, the court saw body camera footage from the police showing John’s aggressive behaviour during his arrest. He reportedly shouted at the officers, “I’m going to kill you,” and made threats towards the victim and the police officers’ families.

The trial continues.

Crime

Welsh mother sent indecent image of daughter to convicted sex offender

Published

19 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Woman handed suspended sentence after sending photos of primary school child to known paedophile she was “in a relationship” with

A WELSH mother has avoided immediate prison after admitting she sent indecent photographs of her young daughter to a convicted paedophile she described as being “in a relationship” with.

The woman, aged in her 30s, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court after pleading guilty to making and distributing an indecent image of a child.

The case emerged when West Mercia Police recovered images from a known sex offender’s device during an unrelated investigation. Officers identified that several of the images had been sent by the child’s mother and passed the intelligence to South Wales Police.

Eight photographs of the primary school-aged girl had been shared. One image, described in court as Category C, showed the child half-naked on a sofa.

When officers arrived at the family home to arrest her, the defendant was overheard telling her children: “Mummy has been in conversation with a silly man who had got her into trouble.”

During interview, the court heard she struggled to explain her behaviour. She told police her relationship with her partner at the time had broken down and she had felt “lost”, adding that she had “enjoyed the attention” from the man.

Sentencing, His Honour Paul Thomas KC described the offending as a “terrible breach of trust”.

He said sending such an image to a man she knew was a paedophile who wanted it for sexual gratification was “wholly beyond most people’s comprehension”.

The judge added it was fortunate her “pandering” to the offender had been uncovered before matters escalated further.

While acknowledging that any punishment would “pale into insignificance” compared with the lifelong consequences for the family, he said the offence crossed a serious threshold.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons in order to protect the identity of her daughter, has no previous convictions. The court was told her children are no longer in her care.

Defence counsel said she had been tearful and remorseful, telling solicitors she had “ruined her life”. A psychiatric assessment diagnosed her with complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

She was handed a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

The court also imposed:

– 150 hours of unpaid work
– Completion of a rehabilitation programme
– Registration as a sex offender for ten years
– A Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years

Child protection specialists say the case underlines the risks of online relationships and the importance of reporting concerns early, particularly where vulnerable adults may be targeted by known offenders.

If you are worried about a child’s safety, contact police on 101 or report concerns anonymously via Crimestoppers.

Crime

Man to stand trial accused of making death threat to Herald editor

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant allegedly threatened serious harm in telephone call

A 34-YEAR-OLD Pembroke man is due to stand trial on Monday (Feb 2) accused of sending a message threatening death or serious harm to Pembrokeshire Herald editor Tom Sinclair.

Anthony Jones, of Castle Quarry, Long Mains, Monkton, is listed to appear before magistrates for trial at 12:00pm.

Court records show Jones faces two charges.

The first alleges that on February 24, 2025, in Pembroke, he made a communication that conveyed a threat of death, intending – or being reckless as to whether – the recipient would fear the threat would be carried out.

The charge is brought under section 181 of the Online Safety Act 2023. The offence carries a maximum penalty of twelve months’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

The second charge relates to an unrelated incident on April 8, 2025. Jones is accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards a police officer, causing harassment, alarm or distress. The offence is alleged to have been racially aggravated under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

That charge carries a maximum sentence of six months’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

Both matters were previously adjourned from December 10, 2025 for a full trial hearing.

The Herald understands the alleged threat formed part of online communications sent earlier this year and was reported to police.

Jones denies the offences and the case is expected to be contested.

The trial is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

Crime

Pembroke man accused of child sex offences sent to Swansea Crown Court

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant indicates intention to plead guilty as magistrates rule case too serious for local sentencing

A PEMBROKE man has been sent to the Crown Court after indicating he intends to plead guilty to a series of serious child sex offences.

David Lewis, aged 42, of Ashdale Lane, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jan 30).

Lewis indicated guilty pleas to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause or incite a female child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. A further charge of attempting to cause a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity was also put to him.

The offences relate to online and electronic communication.

Magistrates said the case was too serious to be dealt with at their level and committed Lewis to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was granted conditional bail ahead of his next court appearance.