Crime

Former Carmarthenshire teacher jailed for rape and voyeurism

Published

7 months ago

June 23, 2025

Victim tells court: ‘What he did to me is unforgivable’

A FORMER teacher and restaurant manager has been jailed for nine years after being convicted of raping a teenager in Carmarthen more than two decades ago.

Daniel Gravell, 43, carried out the attack on a 19-year-old woman in 2002, following a house gathering in the town. Swansea Crown Court heard the victim had been unwell and was taken to bed by friends before Gravell raped her while she was vulnerable and unable to consent.

The woman, now in her 40s, bravely addressed the court during sentencing on Monday (June 23), describing the lasting trauma she has experienced. She told the judge: “On the night I was raped I was extremely vulnerable. I know I’ve done nothing wrong, but shame is something I continue to feel. I’m angry about how his behaviour has shaped my life.”

She said seeing Gravell around Carmarthen in the years that followed left her feeling “uncomfortable” and that informing her family of the incident was devastating. “The look on my brother’s face will stay with me forever,” she said. “He [Gravell] needs to take responsibility for his actions.”

Gravell denied the charge of rape but was found guilty by a jury earlier this year. The court also heard he had taken explicit photos of a woman without her knowledge in 2021. In that case, Gravell had consensual sex with the woman but took naked pictures of her afterwards without asking. He later blamed the flash on his phone, claiming it had gone off accidentally.

He pleaded guilty to the voyeurism offence and was sentenced to six months, to run consecutively with the eight-and-a-half-year sentence for rape.

Judge Geraint Walters told Gravell: “Rape leaves a scar. Many never recover. It’s a terrible thing to do to another human being.” He added that a probation report found Gravell has the “potential to be a predatory offender” and that he had shown “no remorse whatsoever.”

The judge also addressed Gravell’s comment, made to a friend at the time, in which he boasted about the rape and referred to the victim using demeaning language.

Gravell, formerly employed at a Swansea school and until recently managing the Baltic Inn near Pontyates, will serve the full sentence in custody and has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

He was also charged with two further rapes, one in 2005 and another in 2022. He was cleared of the 2022 allegation, while the jury could not reach a verdict on the 2005 case. A retrial on that count will take place at a later date.

Speaking outside the court after the sentencing today, Detective Inspector Dale Thomas, said: “I can only start today by extending my deepest sympathies to the victims in this case for the horror they suffered at the hands of Daniel Gravell.

“The bravery shown by the victims – from their initial reports all the way through to today’s sentencing – must be commended.

“The courage it takes to report a rape or sexual offence, no matter how recent or non-recent, cannot be underestimated. I hope that today’s result brings some comfort to the victims as they begin to move forward with their lives.

“Rape is as much a psychological offence as it is physical.

“We have heard how a woman endured 20 years of suffering because of what Daniel Gravell did to her in 2002.

“We must recognise that this victim did not only suffer a physical attack in 2002 but has also suffered the emotional consequences since.

“We have also heard about the devastating impact a non-physical sex offence can have on an individual’s emotional welfare too.

“Thanks to the bravery of the victims in this case, Daniel Gravell is now a convicted rapist and will face the punishment he so rightly deserves.

“I want to send a clear message today: if you are a victim of rape or sexual assault, please come forward.

“We have specially trained officers and partners who will support you every step of the way.

“Today’s result shows that we can, and will, do everything possible to investigate and prosecute vile offenders such as Daniel Gravell.”

Crime

Welsh mother sent indecent image of daughter to convicted sex offender

Published

20 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Woman handed suspended sentence after sending photos of primary school child to known paedophile she was “in a relationship” with

A WELSH mother has avoided immediate prison after admitting she sent indecent photographs of her young daughter to a convicted paedophile she described as being “in a relationship” with.

The woman, aged in her 30s, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court after pleading guilty to making and distributing an indecent image of a child.

The case emerged when West Mercia Police recovered images from a known sex offender’s device during an unrelated investigation. Officers identified that several of the images had been sent by the child’s mother and passed the intelligence to South Wales Police.

Eight photographs of the primary school-aged girl had been shared. One image, described in court as Category C, showed the child half-naked on a sofa.

When officers arrived at the family home to arrest her, the defendant was overheard telling her children: “Mummy has been in conversation with a silly man who had got her into trouble.”

During interview, the court heard she struggled to explain her behaviour. She told police her relationship with her partner at the time had broken down and she had felt “lost”, adding that she had “enjoyed the attention” from the man.

Sentencing, His Honour Paul Thomas KC described the offending as a “terrible breach of trust”.

He said sending such an image to a man she knew was a paedophile who wanted it for sexual gratification was “wholly beyond most people’s comprehension”.

The judge added it was fortunate her “pandering” to the offender had been uncovered before matters escalated further.

While acknowledging that any punishment would “pale into insignificance” compared with the lifelong consequences for the family, he said the offence crossed a serious threshold.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons in order to protect the identity of her daughter, has no previous convictions. The court was told her children are no longer in her care.

Defence counsel said she had been tearful and remorseful, telling solicitors she had “ruined her life”. A psychiatric assessment diagnosed her with complex post-traumatic stress disorder.

She was handed a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

The court also imposed:

– 150 hours of unpaid work
– Completion of a rehabilitation programme
– Registration as a sex offender for ten years
– A Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years

Child protection specialists say the case underlines the risks of online relationships and the importance of reporting concerns early, particularly where vulnerable adults may be targeted by known offenders.

If you are worried about a child’s safety, contact police on 101 or report concerns anonymously via Crimestoppers.

Crime

Man to stand trial accused of making death threat to Herald editor

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant allegedly threatened serious harm in telephone call

A 34-YEAR-OLD Pembroke man is due to stand trial on Monday (Feb 2) accused of sending a message threatening death or serious harm to Pembrokeshire Herald editor Tom Sinclair.

Anthony Jones, of Castle Quarry, Long Mains, Monkton, is listed to appear before magistrates for trial at 12:00pm.

Court records show Jones faces two charges.

The first alleges that on February 24, 2025, in Pembroke, he made a communication that conveyed a threat of death, intending – or being reckless as to whether – the recipient would fear the threat would be carried out.

The charge is brought under section 181 of the Online Safety Act 2023. The offence carries a maximum penalty of twelve months’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

The second charge relates to an unrelated incident on April 8, 2025. Jones is accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards a police officer, causing harassment, alarm or distress. The offence is alleged to have been racially aggravated under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

That charge carries a maximum sentence of six months’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

Both matters were previously adjourned from December 10, 2025 for a full trial hearing.

The Herald understands the alleged threat formed part of online communications sent earlier this year and was reported to police.

Jones denies the offences and the case is expected to be contested.

The trial is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

Crime

Pembroke man accused of child sex offences sent to Swansea Crown Court

Published

3 days ago

January 30, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant indicates intention to plead guilty as magistrates rule case too serious for local sentencing

A PEMBROKE man has been sent to the Crown Court after indicating he intends to plead guilty to a series of serious child sex offences.

David Lewis, aged 42, of Ashdale Lane, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jan 30).

Lewis indicated guilty pleas to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause or incite a female child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. A further charge of attempting to cause a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity was also put to him.

The offences relate to online and electronic communication.

Magistrates said the case was too serious to be dealt with at their level and committed Lewis to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was granted conditional bail ahead of his next court appearance.