Crime

Pensioner jailed for 20 years in shocking child abuse case spanning four decades

Published

1 year ago

October 15, 2024

A 74-year-old man from Hakin, Pembrokeshire, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a series of horrific sexual offences against young girls, in a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community.

Alan Roberts, of Picton Road, appeared before Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Oct 15), where he pleaded guilty to 23 child sex abuse offences committed over a period of more than 40 years. The court heard disturbing details of Roberts’ crimes, which took place between 1976 and 2018, involving six victims aged between five and 12 years old.

Prosecutor Craig Jones presented a harrowing account of Roberts’ offences, which began when the defendant was in his late twenties. The court was told that Roberts’ first victim was between six and 12 years old when the abuse occurred. Mr Jones revealed that Roberts would sexually touch the girl and coerce her into performing sexual acts.

As the proceedings unfolded, it became clear that Roberts’ criminal behaviour had continued unabated for decades. The court heard how he had systematically abused multiple victims, with his most recent offence occurring when he was in his late sixties, targeting a child of just five or six years old.

One particularly distressing aspect of the case was the long-lasting impact on the victims. Mr Jones told the court that one survivor had “kept it locked away” out of fear that she wouldn’t be believed, while another “struggled as a teenager and became withdrawn” as a result of the trauma she had endured.

Stuart John, representing Roberts, conceded that a significant custodial sentence was inevitable given the nature and extent of the offences. He stated that his client “understands he has ruined a great many lives over a very long period”, adding that Roberts wished to address the issues that had led to his offending.

Judge Catherine Richards, in her sentencing remarks, emphasised the prolonged nature of Roberts’ crimes, stating, “Your sexual offending against pre-pubescent girls went on over three to four decades. The blame for your repeated offending sits squarely on you.”

In addition to the 20-year prison term, Roberts will serve an extended licence period of two years. The court also imposed indefinite restraining orders to protect each of his victims, and Roberts will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

The case has raised questions about how such prolonged abuse could have gone undetected for so long. Local authorities and child protection agencies are likely to face scrutiny in the wake of this shocking revelation.

Detective Inspector Sarah Davies, who led the investigation, spoke outside the court: “This case demonstrates that no matter how long ago abuse took place, we will listen, investigate thoroughly, and bring perpetrators to justice. I commend the bravery of the victims in coming forward and hope this sentence brings them some measure of closure.”

The sentencing of Alan Roberts serves as a stark reminder of the devastating and long-lasting impact of child sexual abuse. It also underscores the importance of ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable children and encourage survivors to come forward, regardless of when the abuse occurred.

As the community of Hakin comes to terms with the revelations, support services have been made available for those affected by the case. Local councillor Mary Evans stated, “Our thoughts are with the survivors. We must ensure that such crimes are never allowed to persist undetected in our community again.”

Crime

Three inmates deny murder of Lola James killer at Wakefield prison

Published

1 hour ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THREE prisoners have denied murdering child killer Kyle Bevan, who was found dead in his cell at HMP Wakefield.

Bevan, aged 33, was serving a minimum sentence of 28 years after being convicted of murdering his partner’s two-year-old daughter, Lola James, in Haverfordwest in 2020.

The defendants, Lee Newell, 56, and a second man who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Leeds Crown Court via video link, where they entered not guilty pleas to a charge of murder.

A third accused, Mark Fellows, 45, did not attend the hearing, but his barrister told the court that he also denies the offence. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

Judge Guy Kearl KC said the case would proceed to trial, which is expected to last up to four weeks and is scheduled to begin in June.

***Tragic: Lola James, died in Haverfordwest in 2020***

Bevan was jailed in 2023 after a jury found him guilty of killing Lola James following a prolonged assault lasting several hours. The toddler suffered catastrophic head injuries, which doctors said were comparable to those typically seen in high-speed road traffic collisions.

Medical evidence presented at Bevan’s trial detailed 101 separate injuries, including extensive bruising and scratches, with indications that weapons had been used during the attack.

The court previously heard that Bevan, described as a prolific drug user, had moved into the family home within days of making contact with Lola’s mother, Sinead James, via Facebook.

Bevan, originally from Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, had denied murdering the child but was convicted following a trial at Swansea Crown Court.

Crime

Police appeal after digger stolen and attempted break-ins on Old Hakin Road

Published

3 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE is urging farmers to be vigilant after a digger was stolen and an attempted burglary reported at rural properties off Old Hakin Road, Haverfordwest, in the early hours of Sunday (Dec 14).

Officers say a small digger was taken from a farm and driven around a mile from the scene before being abandoned nearby. A second incident was reported shortly afterwards, in which someone attempted to enter several vehicles and outbuildings at another address before leaving empty-handed.

Rural crime warning

Police have issued fresh crime-prevention advice to the farming community following the two reports, stressing the importance of securing boundaries, machinery and outbuildings.

Farmers are being urged to:

• Install and maintain fences, gates and warning signs.
• Use high-quality locks on barns, sheds and storage units.
• Keep keys to high-value equipment in a safe, secure location.
• Install security cameras in strategic places.
• Join or participate in Farm Watch schemes to share intelligence with neighbours and police.

Dyfed-Powys Police’s Rural Crime Team is also offering farm visits to help mark equipment and carry out security audits. These can be arranged by emailing [email protected].

Further advice on preventing rural crime is available at:
https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rc/rural-crime/

Appeal for information

Enquiries are ongoing and police are asking anyone with information to contact them using any of the following methods:

🖥️ Online form: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/
📧 Email: [email protected]
💬 Direct message via social media
📞 Call 101

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference 25001019854.

(Image of digger is for illustrative purposes only and may differ from the actual digger stolen.)

Crime

Carmarthenshire man jailed for sexually explicit messages to three children

Published

4 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Two-year prison sentence and decade-long SHPO imposed at Swansea Crown Court

A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has been jailed for two years after he admitted sending sexually explicit messages and images to three girls under the age of sixteen.

Devon Wildgust, aged 22, of Lon y Gruglas, Ammanford, appeared at Swansea Crown Court today (Monday, Dec 15) for sentence. The court imposed a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which will significantly restrict his contact with children, as well as his access to devices and the internet. He must also comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Wildgust previously appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on November 24, where he indicated guilty pleas to three counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. All three victims are protected under Section 1 of the Sexual Offences Amendment Act 1992.

The offences took place over just six days, between 15 and 21 November 2025. During this period, Wildgust sent explicit and indecent images of himself — including photographs of his genitals — to three separate girls, each under sixteen. He also made sexually explicit comments and requested sexual acts. The court heard he did not reasonably believe any of the children were over sixteen.

Because of the seriousness, pattern and escalation of the offending, magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence under Section 14 of the Sentencing Act 2020. He had been on conditional bail, including daily reporting to Ammanford Police Station, until today’s hearing.

Following the sentencing, Predator Awareness and Red Rose UK issued a joint statement welcoming the outcome. They said: “Devon Wildgust is a dangerous sex offender who presents a massive risk to children. As a combined force we are determined to prevent further harm by intercepting communications online and bringing predators to justice.”