Crime

Convicted sex offender found guilty of child rape in retrial

Published

1 year ago

February 21, 2025

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

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

9 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

9 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.