A MIDDLE-AGED farmer has been sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after grooming a teenage girl, coercing her into sending intimate pictures and videos.

David Lewis, 50, met the then 14-year-old girl at a farm in August 2021 and later added her on Facebook. Prosecutor Martha Smith-Higgins told the court: “After a few months of messaging, the defendant sent [the girl] a picture of his penis.”

Lewis from the West Carmarthenshire village of Llanboidy, manipulated the girl into sending explicit images, begging her to comply and telling her: “If you loved me, you would send me photographs.” He also sent her £120 over four separate occasions and told her she could live with him when she turned 16.

Explicit videos exchanged on Snapchat

Ms. Smith-Higgins said Lewis sent “five or six” videos of himself masturbating via Snapchat. When he asked the girl to send similar videos, she initially refused, saying she was about to leave home. However, Lewis checked her Snapchat location, discovered she was not going out, and continued to pressure her until she sent a video.

The girl later attempted to deter Lewis by telling him that the police were tracking her phone. Despite this, Lewis persisted, sending her three sexual photos and two explicit videos of himself.

Discovery and arrest

The girl’s mother became suspicious and checked her daughter’s phone, discovering explicit pictures of Lewis. Police were alerted, and Lewis was arrested on July 22, 2022.

During their investigation, officers found deleted photos of the girl on Lewis’s phone and messages where he told her: “Delete all Snapchats. Have police interview” and “Delete your photos.”

Lewis denied any wrongdoing during his police interview, claiming there had been no communication between him and the girl and that there would be no images of her on his phone. However, officers recovered three Category A images – the most severe classification – and six Category C images of the girl.

Court proceedings

Lewis, pleaded guilty to causing a child to watch a sexual act, sexual communication with a child, and two counts of making indecent images of a child.

Hannah George, representing Lewis, told the court that he had no prior convictions and had not reoffended since the incidents. She argued that a suspended sentence was appropriate, stating: “The probation service has assessed that an immediate custodial sentence would have limited impact, as it would not allow Mr. Lewis to complete the rehabilitation courses he desperately needs.”

Ms. George also cited delays in the case coming to court.

Sentencing

Judge Geraint Walters described Lewis’s actions as calculated and predatory. “The reality is that you were grooming her,” he said. “You are 50 years of age and should know better. You knew what you were doing was wrong.”

Lewis was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 35 sessions of an accredited rehabilitation programme and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He must register as a sex offender for 10 years and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period. The court also imposed an indefinite restraining order to protect the victim.

COMPLETING a series of courses largely funded by Farming Connect has given a Welsh dairy farmer the knowledge and confidence to launch a business that provides office administrative support to other farm enterprises.

Anna Brown grew up on a dairy farm just four miles from Hill Farm, near Mold, where she now lives with her husband, Tim, and their five-year-old daughter, Sophie, and where they also produce milk.

Anna has worked in the agriculture industry since graduating from Harper Adams where she studied agri-food marketing and business studies.

Her introduction to bookkeeping was several years ago with a course at Coleg Cambria.

In 2022 she decided to build on that foundation, enrolling in a Farming Connect course covering aspects such as Making Tax Digital and keeping VAT records.

This was 80% funded by Farming Connect, as were two other modules she subsequently completed, on understanding new accounts, financial management, cashflow and business planning.

One course was delivered virtually while the other two were in-person at venues in Ruthin and Oswestry.

Anna gained hugely from that learning experience. “I do all my parents’ farm office bookwork and accounts but there is always some doubt with something like that about whether you are doing it the right way,’’ she says.

The Farming Connect courses reassured her that she was, and added to her knowledge base.

Fellow course participants came from many different farming sectors and systems.

“In farming we can become set in our ways but it was nice to see that we were all on the same path,’’ Anna added.

“The courses were delivered by Julie at Simply the Best Training; she was so good at making everyone feel at ease and providing proper scenarios that were applicable to our own type of farming business.’’

Inspired by the knowledge she gained, Anna set up her own business, Brownbrook Farm Office Services, in January 2024, offering support in everything from farm assurance to setting up farm spreadsheets and building up a client base through word of mouth, social media and advertising her services at livestock marts and other venues.

Others just want support in restoring order to their office. “They say “my office is a mess; can you organise it for me’’!’’ says Anna.

She has not taken her responsibilities lightly, even embarking on an emergency first aid course in March 2024, again 80% funded by Farming Connect.

“If I am going onto a farm and there is an emergency situation, I need to know that I have the experience to deal with it, as well making the client aware that I am serious about what I do.’’

Anna’s next goal is to complete a Farming Connect Safe Use of Vets and Meds course.

She is grateful to Farming Connect for the calibre of the courses, and for funding most of their cost.

“We are lucky in farming that we have these subsidised courses, most industries don’t have those opportunities.’’

AS WELSH farming families consider the implications of the UK government’s plan to limit 100% agricultural and business relief for inheritance tax (IHT) to the first £1m of value, Farming Connect is launching a roadshow of events across Wales to help businesses consider different options for protecting their assets including succession planning.

The Autumn Budget on 30 October included significant proposed changes to IHT rules and these will impact many farm businesses. 

Demand for the advice available through Farming Connect is anticipated to be high as a result therefore it is holding 10 events where experts in farm IHT issues and succession planning will provide important guidance on the planned measures and advise on how farmers can mitigate the effects of the change.

They will include Dr Nerys Llewelyn Jones, of Agri Advisor, who says the changes further emphasise the importance of timely and effective succession planning.

For example, the seven-year rule still applies which means someone could transfer an asset at least seven years before their death, without having to pay IHT on that asset. These are referred to as Potentially Exempt Transfers (PETs)

“The changes could lead to more transfers between generations before death but reservation of benefits rules apply and therefore this must be considered carefully,’’ says Dr Llewelyn Jones.

“If these rules are broken, for example if the gift donor is still benefiting in some way from the estate, for example living in the farmhouse, it may be referred to as a “failed PET” and will then become subject to IHT.’’

She anticipates heavier scrutiny on valuations and a greater need to have assets valued. 

Until now, farmers will have been advised to essentially “keep farming” for as long as possible to qualify for Agricultural Property Relief (APR). 

“This will apply possibly to assets that they are seeking APR and Business Property Relief (BPR) on, including those assets within the £1m cap’’ says Dr Llewelyn Jones.

However, there will be changes to the legal advice previously given as a result of the Budget and she strongly advises farmers to seek professional advice and put a plan in place.  

“For some, small changes will enable them to maximise the new IHT regime and the reliefs available but for others significant planning and consideration will be required with some difficult decisions to be made,’’ says Dr Llewelyn Jones.

Solicitors, accountants and land agents will be on hand to answer questions.

A comprehensive package of support is available through Farming Connect including facilitated family succession meetings; a succession review to assess the tax position and subsidised business and legal advice. For more information contact your local Development Officer, or call the Service Centre.

The schedule of events is as follows:

20/01/25 – Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, Carmarthen SA31 1LG

21/01/25 – Monmouthshire Livestock Centre, Raglan, NP15 2B

22/01/25 – County Showground, Withybush, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 4BW

27/01/25 – The Barn, Moody Cow, Bargoed Farm, Llwyncelyn, Aberaeron, SA46 0HL

28/01/25 – Maesteg Golf Club, Maesteg, CF34 9PR

03/02/25 – Coleg Cambria – Llysfasi, Llysfasi, Ruthin LL15 2LB

03/02/25 – Celtic Royal Hotel, Caernarfon, LL55 1AY

05/02/25 – The Elephant & Castle Hotel, Newtown, SY16 2BQ

10/02/25 – Hafod a Hendre, Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells, LD2 3SY

11/02/25 – Rhyd-y-main Hall, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2AS

For further details visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/whats-on