Crime

Four years jail for sexually assaulting a young child and grooming others online

Published

10 months ago

June 26, 2025

A MAN from Cilgerran has been sentenced to prison after sexually assaulting a young child and grooming others online by offering money and gifts in return for explicit images.

Jake Roberts, 23, appeared at Swansea Crown Court, facing multiple charges related to sexual offences committed between the ages of 15 and 21.

Prosecutor Georgia Donohue explained to the court that Roberts had sexually assaulted a nine-year-old boy. The assault came to light after the child disclosed the abuse to his mother following concerns raised by another family member.

Roberts was also found to have targeted several children online, contacting them through various platforms and offering payment or gifts in exchange for explicit photos and videos.

One incident emerged when police officers visited a child’s home for an unrelated issue in September 2023. The child’s mother expressed concerns about suspicious transactions involving her son. She revealed her son had received money from an account linked to Roberts and had seen him filming himself in his underwear. The boy, then 14, believed he had been communicating with a girl named “Janet Roberts” on Snapchat, who had requested images of his feet. Investigations later revealed “Janet Roberts” to be Jake Roberts.

Roberts admitted to police that he had sent the teenager £320, as well as explicit photos and videos of himself. In exchange, he received indecent images and videos from the boy.

Ms Donohue further described how Roberts groomed another child he met online while gaming on Xbox in 2020. Roberts bought the boy games and requested explicit images in return, causing the victim to feel indebted. The abuse occurred over a three-year period, beginning when the victim was 13.

Roberts, who had no fixed address at the time of his arrest on January 10, pleaded guilty to multiple charges. These included sexual assault of a child, inciting sexual activity with a child, sexual activity in the presence of a child, causing a child to witness sexual acts, and several counts of sexual communication with minors.

The court heard Roberts had two previous convictions relating to five offences.

Defending Roberts, Ashanti-Jade Walton highlighted his early guilty pleas and expressed Roberts’ remorse. Walton pointed out the delay in proceedings and noted Roberts had voluntarily sought support to address his behaviour through the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, even selling his car to fund the sessions.

During sentencing, Judge Paul Thomas KC said: “Over a six-year period from age 15 to 21, you repeatedly engaged in sexual communications with multiple male children, routinely requesting sexual images in exchange for payments.”

Roberts received a four-year prison sentence and was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life. He is also subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Crime

70-year-old denies assault and restraining order breach

Published

2 days ago

May 1, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

A PENSIONER from Pembroke Dock has denied breaching a restraining order and assaulting another man.

Henry Howlett, 70, of Market Street, appeared before Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, May 1), charged with breaching a restraining order and common assault.

The charges relate to an alleged incident on November 9 last year.

Howlett has previously appeared before magistrates in connection with a separate alleged incident involving a neighbour.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court previously heard that a dispute arose on July 17 after neighbour Steven Bromhall was washing his car outside his home in Market Street.

Prosecutor Nia James told the court that, as a taxi arrived to collect Howlett, the driver opened the window while passing and Mr Bromhall inadvertently sprayed the taxi driver with water from a hosepipe.

“The taxi driver started remonstrating, and the defendant then began waving his walking stick in the air, towards Mr Bromhall,” she said.

The court heard Mr Bromhall sustained an injury to his back, although it remained unclear whether he had been struck by Howlett’s stick.

Howlett pleaded not guilty to common assault in relation to that incident and was released on unconditional bail. A trial date was set at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

At Swansea Crown Court today, His Honour Judge P H Thomas KC asked Howlett whether he was legally represented.

“I can’t find anyone decent, I’m still searching, my lord,” Howlett replied.

When the court attempted to take his pleas, Howlett repeatedly interrupted in an effort to give an explanation, prompting the judge to tell him: “Be quiet, Mr Howlett.”

Howlett then pleaded not guilty to the charges, telling the court: “Definitely not guilty.”

As he left the courtroom, Howlett said: “I will get the truth out and I hope you all hang your heads in shame… this is all fixed.”

A trial date was set for January 14, 2027.

Crime

Crymych parent denies failing to comply with school attendance order

Published

2 days ago

May 1, 2026

Court Reporter

A CRYMYCH parent has denied failing to comply with a school attendance order, a court has heard.

The defendant appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged under the Education Act 1996.

The court heard that the defendant is accused of failing, as a parent, to ensure that a child attended school in accordance with the requirements of a School Attendance Order.

It is alleged that after being served with the order, the defendant did not comply within the required 15-day period.

A plea of not guilty was entered.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 14.

A reporting restriction remains in force.

Crime

Cockle fisherman fined £3,450 for multiple breaches at protected site

Published

2 days ago

May 1, 2026

Court Reporter

A GOODWICK man has been ordered to pay £3,450 after breaching fishing regulations at a protected cockle fishery.

Richard William Edwards, 45, of Goodwick, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged with a series of offences at the Burry Inlet cockle fishery.

The court heard that Edwards had fished for cockles without a valid permit and breached conditions imposed under fisheries management rules. He was also found to have used an unauthorised vehicle in the fishery area, contrary to restrictions in place to protect the site.

Magistrates were told the offences took place on September 9, 2025, within the Burry Inlet Cockle Fishery, a designated and regulated area subject to strict controls.

Edwards was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a victim services surcharge of £800, along with costs of £650, bringing the total to £3,450. A collection order was made.

The case was brought under fisheries legislation including the Cockle Fisheries Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024.

The court heard that Edwards had been in breach of a prohibition imposed by the permitting system and had failed to comply with the terms of his permit.

The offences are part of ongoing enforcement efforts to protect the sustainability of cockle stocks and ensure compliance within the fishery.