Crime

Pembroke Dock man sentenced for assaults on police officers

Published

9 months ago

March 31, 2025

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sentenced for assaulting two police officers following his arrest earlier this month.

Ashley Rickard, 27, of Elizabeth Court, was arrested on March 15 in connection with incidents in both Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock. During his arrest, he lashed out at officers, resulting in the assault by beating of PC Morse and the common assault of PC Walker.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that PC Walker sustained abrasions to his left ear and arm during the attack.

Rickard, who was remanded in custody following the offences, appeared before magistrates this week and pleaded guilty to both assaults, as well as two further charges of obstructing or resisting police in the execution of their duty.

He was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who said his client had been struggling with intrusive thoughts at the time of the offences.

“When he was first remanded in custody, he was struggling mentally, but now he wants to better himself in the community,” said Mr Lloyd.

“He wasn’t getting the help he needed, and this culminated in him drinking. Obviously, he doesn’t want to go back to prison. Since his remand, he’s now clean of substances and determined not to reoffend. The defendant is clearly a man with vulnerabilities who needs more assistance.”

After considering a detailed pre-sentence report prepared by the probation service, magistrates sentenced Rickard to 14 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months. He must complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a drug rehabilitation programme.

He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to PC Walker, along with a £154 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

Crime

Milford Haven man denies child sex charges as trial date set

Published

2 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

A MAN originally from Milford Haven has pleaded not guilty to a series of sexual offences involving a child after recently moving to Cornwall.

James Kershaw, aged 45, formerly of Milford Haven and now living in Quethiock, Cornwall, appeared in court on Friday (Dec 19), where he denied all four sexual charges put to him.

The hearing was his first Crown Court appearance in the case, during which a trial date was fixed for October 5.

Kershaw was allowed to remain on bail under strict conditions, including that he must have no contact with any prosecution witnesses.

Kershaw appeared via video link from his solicitor’s office in Cornwall. The judge described this as “a very generous decision by the listings officer” and said it had “presumably been arranged due to the distance from you to the court”.

Allegations denied

The charges relate to alleged incidents said to have taken place in Liskeard, Cornwall, between October 26 and November 1, 2023.

Kershaw is accused of engaging in sexual communication with a child under the age of 16 and of causing a child aged 13 to watch sexual activity. He also faces two allegations of causing or inciting a girl aged 13 to engage in sexual activity of a non-penetrative nature on separate dates.

In addition, Kershaw is charged with two counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed by Derby Crown Court in May 2022. These allegations include the use of an undisclosed Facebook account and the deletion of messages, both of which are said to be prohibited under the terms of that order.

Kershaw denies all allegations.

The court ordered that Kershaw may remain on bail pending trial, subject to conditions including a strict ban on contacting any witnesses.

The complainant’s identity is protected by law under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992.

The case is due to return to court when the trial begins in October.

Crime

Swansea man jailed for online child sex offence dies in hospital

Published

18 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A SWANSEA man who was jailed earlier this year for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child has died in hospital soon after leaving custody at Parc Prison.

Gareth Davies, aged 59, of the Maritime Quarter, had been serving an 18-month prison sentence after being convicted in May of sending sexually explicit messages to what he believed was a 14-year-old girl. The account was in fact a decoy used as part of an online safeguarding operation.

The court heard that Davies began communicating with the decoy between November and December 2024 and persistently pursued the individual, later attempting to arrange a face-to-face meeting. He was arrested after being confronted by the decoy operators.

Davies had pleaded not guilty but was convicted following a trial. At the time of sentencing, police described the messages as extremely concerning and said his imprisonment was necessary to protect children.

It has now been confirmed that Davies died in hospital after being at HMP Parc on Wednesday (Nov 27).

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has launched an independent investigation into the death, which is standard procedure in all cases where someone dies in custody or in hospital shortly after being at prison.

A HMP Parc spokesperson: “Mr Gareth Davies (DOB 12/08/1966) passed away at an outside hospital on 27 November 2025.

“As with all deaths in custody, this will be investigated by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. The cause of death will be for the coroner to determine.”

No cause of death has been released at this stage.