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Crime

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

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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

Police investigate alleged assault at Milford Haven property

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OFFICERS from Dyfed-Powys Police have been maintaining a presence at a property on Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, as part of an ongoing investigation into an assault.

The Herald understands that the front door of the property has been boarded up with plywood, prompting concern and speculation from local residents.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Officers have been undertaking scene preservation in relation to an investigation of assault.”

No further details have been released at this stage, and it is not yet known whether any arrests have been made.

Residents told The Herald they noticed police activity at the address earlier this week, with officers attending the property and cordoning off the area.

The Herald will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

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Crime

Newcastle Emlyn man admits to attempted murder of baby

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A MAN from Cwm Cou, Newcastle Emlyn has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a baby.

Rhydian Jamieson, aged 28, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Apr 10), where he admitted to trying to kill the infant, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The offence took place at an address in Y Ferwig, near Cardigan, just before 10:15pm on Wednesday, January 15.

Police responded to reports concerning the welfare of a child, and the baby was taken straight to hospital.

Jamieson was arrested at the scene and later charged.

At an earlier hearing, concerns had been raised about whether he was fit to stand trial. A provisional date had been set for September 1, but this has now been cancelled following his guilty plea.

Judge Paul Thomas KC remanded Jamieson into custody and said he would be sentenced on May 27.

Caroline Rees KC appeared for the prosecution, with John Hipkin KC defending.

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Crime

Teen drug dealers admit handgun plot — Mercedes crash youth facing jail

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TWO teenagers have now fully admitted being involved in cocaine dealing and conspiring to obtain a handgun — including a youth who crashed a stolen Mercedes-Benz into a house in Milford Haven last year.

Harrison Billing, 18, of Jury Lane, Haverfordwest, and Danhiellen Raji, 18, of no fixed abode, appeared again at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Apr 4) for an adjourned plea and trial preparation hearing.

Billing had already admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine between January 14 and February 13 this year, as well as conspiring to possess a handgun without a firearms certificate. He also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine on February 12, and denied a charge of possessing a knife on the A477 in Pembrokeshire on the same day.

The court heard that the Crown Prosecution Service had now accepted his not guilty plea to the knife charge, and Judge Catherine Richards entered a formal not guilty verdict.

Raji, who had originally denied possession with intent to supply cocaine on February 12, changed his plea to guilty at the hearing. He had already admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and the firearm conspiracy, and had pleaded guilty to possessing a knife on the A477.

Prosecutor Ashanti-Jade Walton confirmed that no trial would be required for Raji or Billing, and that the Crown would proceed to sentencing.

The court was told that pre-sentence reports would be prepared for both defendants. Judge Richards warned Billing that he should expect an immediate custodial sentence. “He’s fully aware of that,” said his barrister, Dyfed Thomas.

Billing is known locally for a dramatic crash on Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven, in December 2024, when he ploughed a Mercedes-Benz into a house during a high-speed police pursuit. A large zombie knife was discovered on the road near the scene the following day and was later recovered by officers.

The pair’s co-defendants — Casey Gregory, 28, of Cromwell Heights, Milford Haven, and John Phillips, 36, of Pen Puffin, Steynton — continue to deny charges of possession with intent to supply cocaine and a lesser alternative of simple possession.

Phillips has admitted a separate charge of possessing cannabis.

Gregory and Phillips were re-admitted to bail, with their trial scheduled to begin on August 4. Billing and Raji remain remanded in custody and will be sentenced following the outcome of that trial.

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