A HAVERFORDWEST garage proprietor has been dealt what has been described as ‘very stringent bail conditions’ after appearing before a district judge charged with rape.

Ceri Morgan, 61, of Haverfordwest Auto Centre, Cardigan Road, Haverfordwest, is accused of raping a woman, aged 16 or over, between November 30 and December 31, 2009.

This week, District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction in the case due to the seriousness of the allegation, and the matter was sent to Swansea Crown Court, where proceedings will commence on February 10.

Morgan was released on conditional bail with requirements to remain at his home address, observe a 7:00pm–7:00am electronic curfew, avoid contact with the complainant, and surrender his passport at Haverfordwest police station.

A PEMBROKESHIRE gardener has been found not guilty of exposing his ‘flaccid penis’ to a female property owner after agreeing to cut trees in her garden.

The complainant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, claimed Thomas Jones, 21, exposed himself to her after agreeing on a £300 fee for cutting down trees in her back garden.

As he began unloading tools from his van on the morning of November 9, 2022, he allegedly turned towards the woman, exposing himself.

“The first I knew of it was when she pointed at me,” Thomas Jones told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday, where he was on trial for exposure.

“I was in shock. I felt embarrassed and awful. I felt bad.”

During cross-examination, Mr Jones, of Long Meadow, Adams Road, Monkton, admitted he did not wear underwear but insisted the exposure was accidental.

“I accept that it was outside my trousers, but I didn’t find her attractive, so why would I do all that?” he said. “It just doesn’t make sense.

“I’ve known my girlfriend for the past seven years, so why would I risk all that, plus risk losing the £300 from the job?”

GIVING EVIDENCE FROM BEHIND A SCREEN

The complainant said Mr Jones had knocked on her door and handed her a leaflet advertising his gardening services.

“I had some trees that needed cutting down, so I took him around, we chatted about it, and we agreed on a price,” she said.

After moving her car to allow Mr Jones to park his van, she claimed she saw what she described as ‘his flaccid penis’ hanging outside his trousers as she walked back into her house.

“I went inside, thinking, ‘That’s very weird’, and I knew it wasn’t right,” she said.

“I went back outside and told him that I’d changed my mind and didn’t want him to do the work anymore. I pointed at it, and I was really angry. I swore at him and asked him to leave.”

Despite apologising repeatedly, Thomas Jones, who has no previous convictions or police cautions, was reported and later charged with intentional exposure. He persistently denied the charge.

DEFENCE ARGUMENT

“The Crown has to prove that the defendant intentionally exposed his penis,” said his solicitor, Gareth Walters.

“But he wasn’t wearing underwear, and it came out of his trousers through his undone zip, which led to him being exposed. It wasn’t an erect penis, and it wasn’t intentional. It was a complete accident.”

After a short adjournment, Thomas Jones was found not guilty. An application for a restraining order against the complainant was refused by the magistrates.

NEW figures reveal Dyfed-Powys Police has paid out £324,000 in compensation over the past five years, following nearly 200 claims made by members of the public.

A Freedom of Information requests show a whopping 186 claims were lodged against the force between 2019 and 2024, with compensation payments peaking in 2021/2022 at £138,111. Claims included allegations of unlawful arrest, financial losses, personal injury, and failure in duty of care.

In 2019/2020, 36 claims were made, with nine settled. The following year, 22 claims were lodged, with nine again resulting in payouts. Numbers rose to 38 claims in 2021/2022, with 11 settlements, before dropping slightly in 2022/2023 to 36 claims and eight payouts. However, the most recent figures for 2023/2024 show a significant rise, with 54 claims and seven settlements.

Lucy Parker, a solicitor from JF Law, said: “Claims against police forces highlight the importance of accountability. Issues such as wrongful arrest, assault, and negligence must be addressed seriously.”

Nationally, UK police forces have paid out millions in compensation, with property damage from botched raids cited as a frequent reason.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been approached for comment.