Crime

Fresh investigation launched into historic abuse in Church in Wales

Published

9 months ago

July 10, 2025

Former bishop and vicar under police scrutiny as victims speak out

A FORMER senior bishop and a former vicar in the Church in Wales are under police investigation following fresh allegations of historic sexual abuse, The Herald can reveal.

Anthony Pierce, the former Bishop of Swansea and Brecon who was jailed earlier this year for indecent assaults on a child, is now facing further claims dating back decades. South Wales Police have confirmed they are investigating both Pierce and another former cleric.

The Church in Wales has issued a statement apologising “unreservedly” to victims, acknowledging “failings” in how allegations were handled in the past. It follows multiple public accounts from survivors who say their reports were ignored or mishandled.

Concerns about Pierce’s conduct were reportedly raised with Church officials as early as 1986—thirteen years before he was made bishop. One alleged victim, Alisdair Adams, who was a student in Swansea in the 1980s, claims he was assaulted after being invited to Pierce’s home under the pretence of discussing chaplaincy work. He says the Church failed to act when the matter was reported.

Another man, Mark Dickey-Collas, described similar conduct and said he too was invited to Pierce’s home, where he was offered alcohol before the bishop allegedly made sexual advances.

The Church in Wales says it has no record of these reports but is now reviewing its response at the time. Pierce, who served as chaplain at Singleton Hospital and was later appointed bishop in 1999, was sentenced in March to four years and one month in prison after admitting five charges of indecent assault on a boy under 16, carried out between 1985 and 1990.

In a separate account, a woman using the pseudonym Ruth says she was sexually assaulted by Brecon Cathedral’s former choirmaster David Gedge in 2001 when she was 17. She alleges that Bishop Pierce failed to act when the matter was brought to his attention in 2003. Gedge, who died in 2016, continued to work with children for another four years after the incident was reported.

Ruth told The Herald: “He didn’t assault me, but he enabled the man who did to stay in post and possibly hurt others. There was no accountability.”

The Church has confirmed there was no recorded disciplinary action taken at the time. An internal review is now underway into how the Church handled such allegations under Pierce’s leadership.

Other safeguarding failures have also come to light.

The Reverend Graham Sawyer, a former priest of the Church in Wales, raised concerns in 2002 about a youth leader in Pontypool, but says his warnings were ignored. He claims he was warned not to pursue the matter or risk legal consequences. That youth leader, Darren Jenkins, was later jailed in 2006 for the rape of a 16-year-old boy.

Mr Sawyer, who is himself a survivor of clergy abuse, has written to members of the Senedd calling for an independent inquiry into the Church in Wales’s safeguarding culture. He said: “Whenever concerns were raised, they were either ignored or met with hostility. The Church closed ranks.”

The calls for an inquiry come after a number of high-profile safeguarding scandals within the Church. Just last month, the Archbishop of Wales retired following critical reports into his former diocese in Bangor, which highlighted blurred boundaries and a toxic internal culture, including heavy drinking among senior figures.

An independent panel member from the UK’s child sex abuse inquiry has now questioned whether the Church in Wales has done enough to implement reforms since earlier reviews.

Professor Sir Malcolm Evans, who helped lead that inquiry, said: “The Church in Wales needs to engage in serious reflection and undertake robust, external scrutiny.”

The Church has now pledged a full cultural review and safeguarding audit across all Welsh cathedrals. A spokesperson said: “There is no place in the Church for abuse, misconduct, or concealment. We are determined to rebuild trust and ensure the Church is a safe place for all.”

Correction:

In an earlier version of this article, we referred to The Reverend Graham Sawyer as a “former priest.” We would like to clarify that Mr Sawyer is a former priest of the Church in Wales, but he has not resigned his Orders nor been defrocked — Editor, The Pembrokeshire Herald.

Crime

Police and partners launch summer crackdown after Tenby station stabbings

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Extra patrols, more rail security and tougher action promised after violent disorder left four youths injured

POLICE and partner agencies have announced a reinforced summer safety response following the violent disorder at Tenby railway station which left four youths with stab wounds.

Dyfed-Powys Police said it will work closely with Pembrokeshire County Council, British Transport Police and Transport for Wales in the coming weeks and months to ensure a robust response to anti-social behaviour and violent offending.

The move follows the serious disorder on Tuesday, April 7, at Tenby train station. British Transport Police, which now has primacy for the investigation, said enquiries are continuing at pace.

In a major joint statement, Superintendent Louise Harries, BCU Commander for Pembrokeshire, said the force does not want the spring and summer season to be “defined” by anti-social behaviour or violent disorder.

She said: “The events which took place at Tenby train station on Tuesday 7th April were wholly unacceptable. Dyfed-Powys Police responded in the immediate aftermath of the incident, but now our colleagues at British Transport Police have primacy over this investigation and are conducting fast-paced enquiries into establishing the facts.

“Whilst we maintain a strong working relationship with our partners all year round, this incident has of course prompted further specialised joint work to robustly tackle anti-social or violent incidents, as well as ensure the peace of mind of our communities.”

Members of the public can now expect to see a visible police presence in hotspot locations over the coming weeks and months, aimed both at reassuring communities and deterring potential offenders.

Police said officers will make arrests and pursue prosecutions where necessary, and may also use anti-social behaviour powers to require individuals to provide their details or leave a particular area for up to 48 hours.

Superintendent Harries also thanked residents and business owners for their support following the Tenby incident, saying community intelligence and reports to police would be vital in shaping the response.

Pembrokeshire County Council said the incident had been “deeply concerning” and acknowledged the anxiety it had caused among residents, businesses and visitors.

Richard Brown, Assistant Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire County Council, said the authority was working closely with the police and other agencies to support the ongoing investigation and tackle wider anti-social behaviour issues.

He said parents and carers should remain aware of where young people are spending time, particularly in the evenings, as the county moves towards the busy summer period.

British Transport Police also confirmed a further three teenagers were arrested on Wednesday (Apr 9) on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and violent disorder. They have since been released on bail.

A 16-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man who had already been arrested in connection with the incident have also been released on bail while further enquiries continue.

British Transport Police Superintendent Jonathon Cooze said: “We recognise the concern felt within the community following the recent incident at Tenby station, and I would like to reassure the public that our investigation is progressing at pace.”

He urged anyone who witnessed the incident, or events leading up to it, to contact British Transport Police quoting reference 916 of April 7.

Transport for Wales has also confirmed it will deploy extra security teams at stations and on rail services across west Wales this weekend and throughout the summer months.

Simon Turton, Security Manager at TfW, said additional security would focus particularly on late-night services and key locations, backed by CCTV at stations and on-board trains, as well as body-worn cameras used by train crew.

The latest developments mark a significant escalation in the official response to the Tenby violence, with police, transport operators and the council all signalling a tougher and more visible approach as the holiday season approaches.

Crime

Drug and weapon charges after Pembroke Dock arrest

Published

2 days ago

April 10, 2026

Court Reporter

Man remanded in custody following Diamond Street vehicle search

A MAN has been remanded in custody after appearing at Swansea Crown Court charged with drug, weapon and driving offences following an arrest in Pembroke Dock.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers from Pembrokeshire Roads Policing and response teams searched a vehicle on Diamond Street on Saturday (Apr 4).

Following the search, Zamurd Hussain, 43, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Hussain was later charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, and driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

He appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Apr 6), where he was remanded in custody.

His next court appearance is due to take place at Swansea Crown Court at 9:00am on May 8.

Crime

Woman fights order taking four dogs from her

Published

2 days ago

April 10, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Swansea Crown Court hears appeal after long-running barking dispute in Trefin

A PEMBROKESHIRE woman has told Swansea Crown Court that complaints about her dogs are unfair as she appeals against the sentence imposed on her by magistrates, including the order that led to four of her dogs being taken from her.

Julia Goodgame appeared before His Honour Judge Simon Hughes on Friday (Apr 10) in the latest stage of a long-running case arising from complaints by residents in Trefin about persistent dog barking.

The appeal follows a ruling by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court in December, when Goodgame, of Bryn Y Derwydd, admitted breaching a Community Protection Notice issued by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Magistrates ordered the immediate forfeiture and seizure of four Border Collies, which Goodgame said were the only dogs in her possession.

The court heard on Friday that residents had complained of constant barking, with only short breaks of around 30 minutes, sometimes continuing until 10:00pm.

The dogs have reportedly remained in kennels since December while the appeal is dealt with.

Goodgame told the court: “My dogs are exceptionally well behaved.”

She also raised concerns about the conditions the animals are being kept in, saying the kennels were exposed to the weather and did not provide a suitable environment.

Goodgame said she had attended conflict resolution classes and had tried her best to resolve the issues raised by neighbours, but said she could not understand why the dogs had not been returned.

The original case followed months of complaints from residents in Trefin about dog noise and control. In addition to the forfeiture order, magistrates imposed a fine, costs and a Criminal Behaviour Order.

The case continues.