Crime

Fishguard man jailed for sexual assault on stranger in her own home

Published

1 year ago

October 31, 2024

A FISHGUARD man who subjected a woman to a “brutal” assault in her own home, dragging her back by her hair when she tried to escape, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Benjamin Guiver, 35, broke into the woman’s Goodwick home on May 24, 2024, while she was asleep, launching a violent attack that has left her emotionally and physically scarred.

Swansea Crown Court heard how the victim, whose identity is protected by law, had fallen asleep around 9:00pm while watching TV in her living room, waiting for her partner’s return. She awoke to find Guiver, a stranger, kneeling beside her. Attempting to flee, she was pursued outside, where Guiver stifled her screams, kicked her, and threw her across the driveway. He then dragged her back inside by her hair, where the assault escalated.

During the ordeal, Guiver repeatedly beat the woman, sexually assaulted her, and choked her while threatening to kill her. She attempted to reason with him, observing that he seemed upset, but he responded with more violence, telling her he intended to rape and kill her. At one point, he repeatedly slammed her head against a radiator. The attack only ended when her relative and partner arrived home, forcing Guiver to flee the property.

The victim’s son, who intervened to stop Guiver, recounted the trauma of hearing his mother’s screams, saying: “I can’t get the noise my mother was making out of my head.”

Guiver was quickly apprehended by Dyfed-Powys Police after officers were alerted by a family member who returned to find the victim covered in blood. The court heard that officers were called to the scene just before 10:30pm, where they discovered the victim with visible injuries. Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Briggs explained: “Our focus was on prioritising her care with the help of paramedics, and getting officers out on the street to find the suspect.” Guiver was arrested nearby shortly after police arrived.

Police enquiries revealed that Guiver had earlier attempted to enter another nearby house. He was charged with six offences on May 26, including sexual assault by penetration, grievous bodily harm with intent, intentional strangulation, trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, threats to kill, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Faced with overwhelming evidence, he pleaded guilty to all charges in court on July 10.

The victim shared in her impact statement that she no longer feels safe in her home, saying, “I am a shell. Constantly nervous and frightened of my own shadow.” She described her struggles with daily activities, relying on her partner to help with tasks like getting dressed. “My whole life has been ruined by one person on one night,” she added. “I know what has happened is going to continue to haunt me for the rest of my life.”

Judge Geraint Walters, who sentenced Guiver to a 20-year prison term, including a 15-year custodial sentence and a five-year extended licence period, condemned the assault as “a brutal and terrifying attack within a person’s own home.” He remarked on Guiver’s apparent lack of remorse during the attack, noting, “She was right to fear that you might kill her because you’d completely lost all reason and control due to the drugs and alcohol you’d consumed that day.”

The victim’s relative, who also suffered injuries during the struggle to stop Guiver, was praised by DCI Briggs for their bravery in intervening during the assault. “They put their own safety at risk to ensure further harm was not caused,” he said.

Following sentencing, DCI Briggs commended the victim’s courage, stating: “The victim in this case has shown immense courage throughout the investigation, and I commend her for that. Suffering such an attack in your own home is unimaginable, and – as she detailed in her statement – has impacted every aspect of her life.” Judge Walters concluded, “The chances are that she won’t ever completely recover from what you did.”

Crime

Welsh mother sent indecent image of daughter to convicted sex offender

Published

22 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.