Crime

Police investigate alleged prisoner-on-prisoner sexual assault at HMP Parc

Published

1 year ago

February 19, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE have confirmed are investigating an alleged sexual assault at HMP Parc, the Category B prison in Bridgend.

The incident is understood to have taken place in recent days, with another prisoner alleged to be the suspect.

A South Wales Police spokesman said: “A police investigation is underway following a report of a sexual assault on an inmate at HMP Parc. This investigation is ongoing.”

A spokeswoman for G4S, the private company that operates Parc, which houses many prisoners from Pembrokeshire, said: “There is an ongoing police investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.” The firm added that all allegations of sexual assault in its jails are immediately referred to police and that appropriate support is provided.

Zack Griffiths, of the HMP Prisons Justice Group, claimed the attack took place on X1 Wing and involved one of the younger inmates.

“Two days ago, on X1 Wing at HMP Parc, a young offender was subjected to a brutal and predatory attack. According to a trusted source, the victim, who was known to be vulnerable, was sexually threatened and coerced into compliance under extreme duress,” he said.

“The perpetrator, already recognised as dangerous, escalated the assault by pouring scalding hot water over him, before forcing him to commit a sexual act at knifepoint. The victim’s clothing has been removed for forensic testing, but the real question is… Why was he ever placed at risk in the first place?”

Griffiths described the incident as a “catastrophic failure of the prison system to safeguard those in its care” and called for urgent action to prevent similar incidents.

“This should never have happened. A vulnerable young person was left exposed to a violent, dangerous offender, and the consequences have been devastating. This isn’t just an individual crime—it is a failure of the system.”

HMP Parc has faced significant controversy over the past year, with a series of inmate deaths, allegations of corruption, and concerns over prison conditions leading to scrutiny of its management.

Crime

Neyland man spared immediate jail over aggravated vehicle taking

Published

8 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant given a suspended prison sentence after magistrates heard the offence was serious enough to cross the custody threshold

KRISTIAN DAVIES, aged 35, of Rock Cottages, Neyland, pleaded guilty at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court to aggravated vehicle taking.

The court heard that on January 26, 2026, at Narberth, Davies took a Ford Focus without the consent of the owner or other lawful authority. The vehicle was damaged before it was recovered, with the damage assessed at less than £5,000.

Magistrates sentenced Davies on Tuesday (Mar 31) to 18 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

The bench said the offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified, citing Davies’ relevant previous convictions and the fact he was already subject to a court order at the time, which he is now in breach of.

However, the prison term was suspended because the court found there were real prospects of rehabilitation in the community.

Davies was also made subject to an 18-month supervision requirement, a non-residential drug rehabilitation requirement with reviews, and up to 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

As part of the order, he must engage with Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service and provide samples for a 12-month period.

He was also banned from driving for 24 months.

The first review hearing is due to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on April 27 at 10:00am. Bail conditions were cancelled as a matter of urgency.

Crime

Man arrested after police stop car on Pembroke Dock street

Published

1 day ago

April 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MAN was arrested after police stopped a car on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, on Saturday afternoon (Apr 4).

Witnesses said the incident happened at around 5:00pm outside Bargain Booze, when two police vehicles – one marked and one unmarked – pulled over a motorist.

According to one bystander, officers searched the boot of the vehicle and arrested the man straight afterwards.

The same witness said what was suspected to be Class A drugs were found, although that detail has not been confirmed by police.

The man was taken away in a police car, while an officer drove the suspect’s vehicle from the scene.

The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for comment.

Image: File photo

Crime

Six-year jail term a warning to drug dealers, says police

Published

3 days ago

April 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Detective says “robust approach” will continue as dealer caught after drugs hidden in car sale

A TOP detective has warned that a Milford Haven drug dealer’s six-year prison sentence should serve as a stark warning to others involved in the supply of illegal drugs.

Daniel Booth, aged 35, was jailed at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Mar 20) after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, as well as possession of cannabis.

The case came to light after a member of the public discovered drugs hidden inside a car they had purchased from Booth.

The buyer reported the find to police, triggering an investigation that led to Booth’s arrest on January 5.

Officers later uncovered further evidence linking him to the supply of Class A and Class B drugs.

Hidden drugs discovery

The discovery of drugs concealed within the vehicle proved to be a key breakthrough in the case.

Police said the incident highlighted both the risks to unsuspecting members of the public and the lengths some offenders will go to in order to conceal their activities.

Booth was subsequently charged and later admitted the offences in court.

‘Clear warning’ to others

Speaking after sentencing, DC Phillip Jones, of the Serious Organised Crime Unit in Pembrokeshire, said the case should send a strong message.

He said: “The supplying of drugs such as cannabis and cocaine in our communities has damaging consequences, and I hope that this result serves as a reminder of Dyfed-Powys Police’s commitment to remove them from our streets.

“Booth’s six-year sentence should serve as a warning to anyone involved in the supply of illegal drugs that we and our partners in the justice system will take a robust approach while bringing these types of offenders to justice.”

Ongoing crackdown

Dyfed-Powys Police say tackling drug supply remains a key priority across Pembrokeshire, with officers continuing to target those involved in organised criminal activity.