Crime
Man charged with sexual penetration of seven-week-old baby in court
CHRISTOPHER PHILLIPS, 33, of Burton, and co-defendant Bryony O’Rourke, 24, of Llangwm appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Jan 24).
Phillips faces charges including sexual penetration of a seven-week-old baby, assault, ill-treatment, neglect, and abandonment, resulting in serious physical harm. He is also charged with actual bodily harm and four counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, alleged to have occurred between December 27, 2020, and January 12, 2021.
O’Rourke is accused of allowing the child to suffer serious physical harm between December 19, 2020, and January 25, 2021, due to Phillips’ actions. She also faces charges of assault, ill-treatment, neglect, or abandonment leading to unnecessary suffering or injury.
The case was adjourned.
The pair are now set to appear in Swansea Crown Court for a plea and direction hearing on October 25, 2025. The trial is scheduled to commence on November 17, 2025.
Both defendants are on conditional bail. Phillips must reside at his address in Burton, avoid unsupervised contact with minors, and have no contact with O’Rourke or prosecution witnesses. O’Rourke is subject to similar conditions, residing at her Llangwm address and avoiding unsupervised contact with children under 18.
Further updates will follow as the case progresses.
Crime
Psychiatric assessment discussed in Carmarthenshire murder trial
THE CARMARTHENSHIRE murder trial resumed on Monday, January 27, at Swansea Crown Court, with the prosecution outlining the events leading to the arrest of Richard Jones, who is charged with the murder of Sophie Evans.
Tracy Thompson made a 999 call on Friday, July 5, 2024, prompting emergency services to attend Ms. Evans’ home. That evening, at approximately 8:00 pm, Jones was arrested on suspicion of murder. Claiming to have taken an overdose of his medication, he was admitted to Glangwili Hospital for four days before being discharged into police custody.
Jones was interviewed nine times over two days at Llanelli Police Station before being formally charged with murder on Thursday, July 11, 2024.
The court heard that between November 29, 2023, and July 4, 2024, Jones and Ms. Evans exchanged 1,479 text messages described as “pleasant and of a friendly nature.” These included arrangements for Jones to visit Ms. Evans’ home to fix her drains. Prosecutors said there was no evidence in the communication suggesting Jones believed Ms. Evans had deceived him.
CCTV evidence
CCTV footage showed Jones arriving at Ms. Evans’ home at 9:21 am on Thursday, July 4, 2024. Four minutes later, Ms. Evans made three unanswered calls to her father. By 10:05 am, Jones was seen leaving the property. He claimed he returned shortly after, having forgotten his keys, and found Ms. Evans lying face down on the floor. Despite this, he did not call for help.
Ms. Evans’ body was later discovered with extensive injuries, including severe bruising, puncture wounds, and fractured vertebrae. Police also found a towel tied in what they described as a “hammock” or “sling” arrangement in the kitchen, partially supporting her body. Jones denied placing Ms. Evans in this position, repeatedly telling officers: “I can’t remember.”
When questioned about the injuries, Jones claimed he could not recall how they occurred. When asked by his ex-partner, Tracy Thompson, if he had killed Ms. Evans, he reportedly replied: “I must have. I don’t remember.”
Psychiatric evaluation
Consultant psychiatrist Dr. Dilum Jayawickrama assessed Jones six weeks after Ms. Evans’ death. The court heard that Jones had a history of mental health struggles, including drug-induced psychosis and Type 1 diabetes. He admitted past drug use, including LSD, cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy, but denied recent alcohol problems.
Dr. Jayawickrama told the court there was no evidence of active psychosis at the time of the assessment and that Jones was fit to enter a plea.
Connections to crime
Further details revealed links between Ms. Evans and criminal activity. Jamie Davies, Jones’ son, is serving an eight-year prison sentence for conspiring to supply Class A drugs. Both Davies and Ms. Evans had previously been under investigation for fraud and money laundering.
However, prosecutors maintained that these factors were secondary to determining the events that led to Ms. Evans’ death.
Prosecution’s case
The prosecution highlighted inconsistencies in Jones’ account and his inability to explain Ms. Evans’ injuries. They argued that his repeated claims of memory loss did not align with the physical evidence.
The trial continues, with another medical expert expected to give evidence later this week.
Crime
Prison bosses dismiss assault rumours against Southport killer
PRISON authorities have denied claims circulating on social media that Axel Rudakubana, the Southport killer convicted of murdering three young girls, has been attacked while in custody. The rumours, which gained traction after the circulation of a voice note on Sunday (Jan 26), alleged that the 18-year-old was assaulted by two inmates at HMP Manchester, where he is serving his sentence.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice firmly dismissed the allegations, stating: “Reports of Axel Rudakubana being attacked in prison are inaccurate. He has not been attacked.”
Rudakubana, originally from Cardiff but residing in the Lancashire village of Banks for the past decade, was sentenced on Thursday to a minimum of 52 years behind bars. His crimes, described as among the most extreme and shocking in recent history, included the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, as well as the attempted murder of ten others. The brutal attack took place on July 29 last year at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.
During sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Mr Justice Goose outlined the horrifying details of Rudakubana’s calculated and violent actions. “He walked straight into the building, up the stairs to where he could hear the sound of happy children. His intention was clear: to murder as many of them as he physically could.”
Over a harrowing 15 minutes, Rudakubana fatally attacked three children, severely injured eight others, and wounded two adults who attempted to intervene. The judge highlighted the unrelenting nature of his violence: “After the other children escaped, he remained in the upstairs room, where he returned to attack two of the youngest victims, stabbing them multiple times. His actions demonstrated a determined intention to cause maximum suffering.”
Mr Justice Goose condemned Rudakubana’s actions as “the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime.” The judge noted that the carnage could have been even worse if not for the bravery of those who escaped and intervened.
Rudakubana’s case has left a community in mourning and sparked national outrage. As he begins his decades-long sentence, the Ministry of Justice has assured the public that he is being closely monitored and that claims of an attack on him in prison are baseless.
Crime
Precept increase ‘tackles financial challenges and boosts local policing’
POLICE and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has announced the police precept for 2025/26 following the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Panel’s unanimous approval at a meeting on Friday (Jan 24). The precept, which forms part of council tax funding for policing, will see an 8.6% increase for an average Band D property—equivalent to £28.65 annually or approximately £2.39 per month.
Transparent budget-setting process
Mr. Llywelyn’s proposal was praised by panel members for its transparency and thorough scrutiny over several months. The Commissioner factored in inflation, cost pressures, service demands, reserves, and community feedback before finalizing the precept.
“The operational and financial landscape remains unpredictable,” Mr. Llywelyn said. “This funding will enable the Force to focus on delivering my new Police and Crime Plan for 2025-2029 and improving outcomes for the community.”
Strengthening local policing
The increase will bring significant enhancements to police services, particularly through Local Policing Teams. The precept, along with a £0.7m Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee Grant, will fund 35 additional full-time officers. This allows experienced officers to shift from desk-based roles to frontline policing, bolstering neighbourhood and response teams.
Further investments include upgrades to critical operational equipment, technology, and staffing to improve efficiency and case handling. Vulnerable callers will benefit from strengthened support, and training initiatives will ensure the Force remains responsive to community needs.
Mr. Llywelyn emphasized the importance of visible policing: “We understand the burden any increase places on taxpayers, but this decision is vital for sustaining essential services and increasing visible policing. These investments will help safeguard our communities’ safety and well-being.”
Public consultation informs decision
The Commissioner sought public input, with 54.7% of 707 respondents supporting a precept increase above 9% to protect services. The approved 8.6% rise will set the Band D precept at £360.68 for 2025/26, raising £86.366m and contributing to total funding of £153.304m—a £9.4m (6.5%) increase from last year.
Future plans
The Commissioner’s new Police and Crime Plan for 2025-2029 will outline objectives for improving performance and outcomes.
“I extend my thanks to the public for their input and to the Police and Crime Panel for their continued support,” Mr. Llywelyn added.
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