Crime
Convicted sex offender found guilty of child rape in retrial

A CONVICTED sex offender has been found guilty of raping a child in Milford Haven area during the late 1980s.
Gary Hicks, 64, of Oregon Way, Luton, but formerly of Milford Haven, was convicted at Swansea Crown Court after a retrial into historic sex offences committed between 1987 and 1989.
The jury heard that Hicks attacked his victim, who was no older than eleven at the time, and warned her not to speak out. Prosecutor Daniel Jones told the court that the crime only came to light on October 13, 2022, when the now-adult victim disclosed the abuse to police.
“He told her she wouldn’t be believed and that she would have no friends,” Mr Jones said.
Hicks was questioned in voluntary police interviews on March 6, 2023, and denied all allegations. However, after just under two hours of deliberation, the jury found him guilty.
The conviction follows a previous trial in which Hicks was found guilty of sexually abusing both the same victim and a male child during the same period. He was convicted of two counts of indecency with a child and three counts of indecent assault. However, at the time, he was acquitted of one charge of rape and another of indecent assault, while the jury failed to reach a verdict on a further rape charge—triggering the retrial.
Defence barrister Mark Kelly KC requested a pre-sentence report but acknowledged that an immediate prison sentence was inevitable.
“Any report would only be to length [of sentence], I appreciate that,” he said.
Recorder Paul Lewis KC granted the request and set a provisional sentencing date for March 28.
Hicks, who is already on the sex offenders’ register following his previous convictions, was remanded in custody.
Crime
Broad Haven man admits stalking and bail breaches, denies criminal damage

A BROAD HAVEN man has pleaded guilty to stalking and to breaching his bail conditions on two occasions. He has denied a separate charge of criminal damage and is due to be sentenced later this month.
Thomas Jones, aged 34, of Croft Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he was dealt with for multiple offences involving the same female complainant.
Jones admitted stalking Ms Knight between December 5, 2024, and January 22, 2025, in Milford Haven. The court heard that he visited her address several times, sent over 100 calls and messages in a short period in December, and left both a parcel and an envelope containing a spa voucher.
He initially denied the stalking charge, but changed his plea to guilty on March 17. The offence falls under Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
Jones has denied a charge of criminal damage alleged to have occurred on July 21, 2024, when he is accused of damaging a door, radiator, cat litter tray and scratch post belonging to Ms Knight. He pleaded not guilty to this allegation on January 24.
The court also heard that Jones was arrested twice in March for breaches of bail. On March 22, he missed a curfew condition by returning home five hours late. The following day, on March 23, he allegedly contacted Ms Knight directly, in breach of an order prohibiting contact. He admitted both breaches, though those matters were formally recorded as having been dealt with at an earlier hearing.
The magistrates’ bench was chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris. Dennis Davies appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service, and Jones was represented by Fenn Richards.
Jones has been remanded on conditional bail until his next hearing on April 22, 2025, at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions include:
- Not to contact Tessa Knight directly or indirectly, except via an approved device for child contact purposes,
- Not to enter Milford Haven,
- To reside and sleep each night at 38 Croft Road, Broad Haven.
A pre-sentence report is being prepared ahead of the hearing.
Crime
Pembroke Dock man admits assault and criminal damage

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage during a domestic incident last year.
Sam Wilkins, aged 42, of Bethel Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he admitted charges of assault by beating and causing criminal damage.
The offences took place on November 7, 2024, in Pembrokeshire. Wilkins was accused of assaulting a woman and damaging a coat valued at £60.
He also admitted breaching bail conditions on March 18, 2025, after contacting an individual he had been ordered not to communicate with.
The bench, chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris, remanded Wilkins on conditional bail until April 15, 2025, when he is due to return to court for sentencing.
Bail conditions include:
No contact, directly or indirectly, with named individuals involved in the case,
Not to enter a specified address in Kilgetty,
Child contact to be arranged via a third party only,
Full compliance with probation requirements for a pre-sentence report.
Wilkins was represented by Jess Hill, and the prosecution was led by Dennis Davies of CPS Wales (South West).
Crime
Johnston man caught drink driving on same day as court appearance

A JOHNSTON man has been fined and disqualified from driving after admitting to drink driving on the same day he appeared in court.
Stefan Banica, aged 21, of Woodlands View, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol earlier that day.
The court heard that Banica was found to be over the legal alcohol limit while driving a motor vehicle.
The bench, chaired by Mrs C Kendrick and including Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris, imposed a £500 fine, ordered him to pay £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service, and a £50 victim surcharge. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Banica was represented by Fenn Richards, with Dennis Davies prosecuting for CPS Wales.
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