Crime

Malicious communications charges dropped against Welsh prison campaigner

Published

1 year ago

May 19, 2025

WEST WALES prison reform advocate Zack Griffiths has had all malicious communications charges against him dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service—but still faces one remaining charge linked to a video posted on social media.

Griffiths, who has become a prominent critic of conditions at HMP Parc in Bridgend, was arrested in April this year while attending Cardiff Crown Court. He was subsequently recalled to prison, where he remains in custody.

The dropped charges were originally brought under the Online Safety Act and related to alleged online harassment. However, the CPS has now confirmed it will offer no evidence on these counts. Supporters have claimed the charges were part of a campaign to silence Griffiths’ outspoken activism.

The remaining charge concerns a video filmed inside a prison, which appeared in a Facebook group run by Griffiths. While it is not alleged that Griffiths himself posted the footage, prosecutors claim he is liable as the group administrator for failing to remove the content.

His legal team, however, argue that the video was uploaded using the platform’s anonymous posting feature, and that Griffiths had no knowledge of its publication. They are expected to apply to have the charge struck out at a hearing on Friday (May 24).

Griffiths is a former inmate who served time for drug-related offences. Since his release, he has dedicated himself to campaigning on behalf of prisoners and their families, often using social media to highlight alleged corruption, drug abuse, and violence inside UK prisons—particularly HMP Parc.

In November 2024, he was jailed for 12 months for posting a video of a Parc prison officer restraining an inmate. He also falsely accused a staff member of involvement in drug dealing, leading to a restraining order. Griffiths represented himself during that trial and argued he was acting in the public interest.

The case against him continues against the backdrop of intensifying scrutiny at HMP Parc, where six prison officers have been arrested in recent months on suspicion of misconduct in public office, and where several deaths in custody are under investigation.

Griffiths’ supporters have branded the ongoing legal proceedings a “witch hunt” and are calling for a public inquiry into G4S-run Parc Prison.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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.