Crime

Notorious paedophile cult leader Colin Batley may be freed this week

Published

10 months 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

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

13 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

13 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

14 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.