Crime

Notorious paedophile cult leader Colin Batley may be freed this week

Published

1 year ago

March 4, 2025

ONE of Britain’s most notorious paedophiles, Colin Batley, who led a vile sex cult in the quiet Welsh town of Kidwelly, could be released from prison this week. Batley, now 73, is due for a Parole Board hearing on Friday (March 7), where a panel will assess his case and could decide to set him free.

Batley was jailed in 2011 after being found guilty of 35 offences, including multiple rapes and serious sexual assaults. He received an indeterminate sentence of 22 years, with a minimum term of 11 years, and was warned he might never be released.

The former Tesco security guard from London led a quasi-religious cult where children were subjected to systematic abuse for over a decade. He brainwashed and terrorised his victims, threatening them with murder by cult assassins and eternal damnation if they did not comply with his perverse demands.

Third attempt at freedom

This is Batley’s third parole hearing. Experts fear he may be released despite the severity of his crimes and the dangers he poses to the public. His release would mark a disturbing chapter in the justice system, as all three women who were jailed for their roles in his cult have already been freed.

Batley’s estranged wife, Elaine Batley, along with Jacqueline Marling and Shelly Millar, were sentenced to a combined 25 years in prison for their part in the cult. The women, who referred to Batley as ‘Lord,’ participated in the abuse and aided in his exploitation of children.

A ‘sick little kingdom’

Swansea Crown Court heard how Batley created a “sick little kingdom” in the otherwise unsuspecting community of Kidwelly. His home was transformed into a temple filled with satanic idolatry and tanks of snakes, where he would conduct sinister rituals followed by orchestrated group sex.

Judge Paul Thomas QC, who sentenced Batley, said: “You set yourself up as ruler in your own sick little kingdom… You became their master and formed a community within a community involving child abuse, rape, and prostitution. You are, and for the foreseeable future, a danger to children.”

The abuse continued unchecked for years, despite concerns raised with Carmarthenshire Social Services in 2002. It was not until a brave victim came forward in 2010 that Batley’s web of manipulation and abuse was finally exposed.

Calls for continued detention

Survivors and campaigners have expressed horror at the possibility of Batley’s release. A spokesperson for a child protection charity said: “This man is a danger to society. His actions destroyed lives. The idea that he could be released is a terrifying prospect.”

The victims, who have already endured a harrowing ordeal, now face renewed trauma as the parole hearing approaches. Many have rebuilt their lives after years of suffering, but the potential release of their abuser threatens to bring back painful memories.

Community on edge

The quiet community of Kidwelly remains scarred by the horrors of Batley’s crimes.

Residents are deeply concerned about the prospect of his return. Local councillors have called for assurances that Batley would not be allowed back into the area if released.

The Parole Board’s decision on Friday will be closely watched by both the victims and the wider community. Many hope that justice will prevail and that Batley will remain behind bars, where they believe he belongs.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

12 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

13 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.

Crime

Publican jailed for six years for supplying cocaine and cannabis

Published

14 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Milford Haven man sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following drug dealing operation

A MILFORD HAVEN publican has been jailed for six years after admitting supplying cocaine and cannabis.

The defendant, who previously appeared before magistrates and was remanded in custody, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following an investigation into drug dealing activity linked to the town.

The court heard that he had been involved in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs, with evidence including material recovered by police and analysis of mobile phone data. Investigators said the activity had been ongoing since at least 2024.

Cocaine, a Class A drug, carries the most serious penalties under UK law, and the involvement of both cocaine and cannabis was reflected in the length of the sentence imposed.

During proceedings, the court was told that the case went beyond isolated incidents, with the defendant playing a significant role in the supply chain. The judge said the offending was serious and sustained, warranting an immediate custodial sentence.

He was sentenced to six years in prison.

The case had previously been heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where the defendant was remanded due to the seriousness of the allegations before being sent to the Crown Court for sentencing.