Crime

Nathan John: Judge emphasises need for unanimous verdict

Published

1 year ago

October 18, 2024

AT Swansea Crown Court on Friday morning (Oct 18), His Honour Judge Huw Rees addressed the case involving Nathan John, accused of seven sexual offences including two counts of rape against two 16-year-old girls in Pembrokeshire.

Judge Rees provided crucial guidance on how the jury should evaluate the evidence.

In his address, Judge Rees stressed that the complainants did not know each other before the incidents and that there was no evidence to suggest any conspiracy or collusion between them. This clarification was pivotal in framing the context of the allegations. “He accepted that the complainants did not know each other,” Judge Rees stated. “He accepted that there had been no challenge or suggestion that the complainants colluded together.”

The evidence presented to the jury included body camera footage from the initial incident, arrest footage of the defendant in Haverfordwest, and recordings from two Ring doorbells.

Judge Rees also shared the defendant’s statement regarding the first complaint. According to John’s account, the complainant had accused him of non-consensual behaviour, which left him feeling “scared” and “overwhelmed.” He described an emotional reaction, stating that he cried for approximately five minutes after the incident and that he struggled to comprehend the situation and the accusations against him.

John’s statement included, “Complaint one started making accusations, she said it was not consensual. I felt scared, overwhelmed, everything. She left and went the other way, I was on the floor crying for five minutes. I don’t remember her being present. I went back to circles; I was still panicked but calmed myself down at that point. I was concerned about what she said about the sex; I was concerned that things would be a problem for me the next day.”

He continued, “After she told me she was going to tell everyone, my head was all fuzzy. After that conversation, I didn’t see her again.” During a police interview, John mentioned feeling embarrassed discussing his private life in front of his mother, and although he acknowledged the opportunity to speak more openly with the police, he was uncertain about how to proceed. “At no stage did I believe she was not consenting, I did believe she was consenting,” he added.

Judge Rees then turned to John’s statement regarding the second complaint. The defendant described his social habits, noting that he often spent time with friends in Haverfordwest, where he also worked as a barber and attended college part-time. He recounted the events of May 16, when the second complainant approached him, leading to what he described as a consensual kiss and subsequent interactions.

In his statement, John explained, “May 16 of this year, she came up to me and asked where I was going. I was heading to the train station, and she was going to Tesco’s. I asked if she wanted company, knowing that I was going the opposite direction. There was no connection between us other than friendship. I felt a bit iffy and thought I was going to be sick, but I was not. The complainant asked if I was alright, then we exchanged a kiss. It was a consensual exchange, 100%. We continued flirting and kissing at the top of the steps.”

He further claimed, “We kissed again and then took things further.”

Judge Rees reminded the jury of their responsibility to reach a unanimous verdict, highlighting the importance of thoroughly considering all evidence and testimonies. “You should now concentrate on reaching a unanimous verdict,” he instructed. He emphasised that the jury should take their time and that there was no pressure to rush their decision. “No one is looking at the clock. Take whatever time you need to reach a true verdict. You are now retired to consider your verdict, please.”

The jury has since retired to deliberate on the case, tasked with reaching a verdict that reflects a careful and thorough examination of the facts presented in court.

Crime

Former Wales rugby star admits Christmas Day drink-driving offence

Published

5 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Ex-Ospreys captain was almost twice over limit in Pembroke town centre

Former Wales back row Jonathan Thomas has admitted driving through Pembroke town centre on Christmas Day when he was almost twice over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Thomas, 43, was stopped by officers as he drove his Mercedes CLA 220 along The Green, Pembroke, at around 5pm on Christmas Day.

“The officers were very concerned at the manner of his driving, as the car was being driven erratically and was swerving to the other side of the road,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“When Jonathan Thomas got out of the car, the officers could see that he was having difficulty standing and was unsteady on his feet.”

Subsequent breathalyser tests showed Thomas had 62 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

Thomas, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the drink-drive charge and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill.

“He has family in the area and had travelled to spend time with them on Christmas Day,” she told the magistrates. “He’s very remorseful for his actions and hugely regrets his decision that day.”

Jess Hill concluded by saying that Thomas is currently “between jobs and living off his savings”.

Thomas, who gave his address as Main Road, Bredon, was disqualified from driving for a total of 18 months.

“The length of your disqualification reflects the fact that you were more than a little bit over the limit,” commented the presiding magistrates when imposing sentence.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge.

The former Wales back row left his role as Swansea RFC head coach at the beginning of December 2025 as a result of ongoing health concerns. He was forced to retire from playing in 2015 on medical advice after being diagnosed with epilepsy and is one of the 390 former rugby union players currently taking part in a concussion lawsuit against the sport’s authorities.

“Long-standing issues linked to the head trauma have caused me some concern recently and it has been impossible for me to give the role everything it needs,” he said in a previous interview with the BBC.

His rugby career started out with Pembroke RFC juniors before moving to Swansea RFC, which he captained when he was 19. He then joined the Ospreys where, over a ten-year period, he won four league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup. He was the youngest player to captain the Ospreys and, at the time of leaving, was the joint highest appearance holder, together with Andrew Bishop, on 188 appearances.

His international career saw him play for Wales at Under-16, Youth, Under-19, Under-21 and Sevens levels. He made his senior international debut against Australia in 2003, featured at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was part of two Six Nations Grand Slam-winning sides in 2005 and 2008. Between 2004 and 2011, Thomas was included in every Wales Six Nations squad. In his appearances for Wales, he scored seven tries.

Crime

Drink-driver narrowly avoided collision in town centre

Published

5 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Motorist almost three times over legal limit

A DRINK-driver narrowly avoided crashing into another vehicle while almost three times over the legal alcohol limit, a court has heard.

Nathan Lloyd, 33, was seen driving a Nissan X-Trail in Haverfordwest in the early hours of December 20 without headlights.

Police followed the vehicle, which narrowly missed a car and struck a kerb before being stopped.

Lloyd, of Adams Drive, Narberth, recorded a breath reading of 97 micrograms of alcohol, nearly three times the legal limit.

He was disqualified from driving for two years and given a 12-month community order requiring 80 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days. He was ordered to pay £114 surcharge and £85 costs.