Crime

Domestic violence offender arrested after 23 years of abuse

Published

9 months ago

August 13, 2025

A HIGH-RISK domestic violence perpetrator who has subjected his partner to more than two decades of extreme physical and emotional abuse has been arrested at a caravan park in Penally.

Christopher Lawrence, 41, was detained on Tuesday morning (Aug 12) after his partner made a silent 999 call to police. He was brought before Haverfordwest magistrates just five hours later.

Dyfed-Powys Police described Lawrence as “a very dangerous and violent man” and said custody was the only safe option.

“The victim was clearly asking for help, but she doesn’t follow it through because she’s fearful of him,” a police spokesperson said. “The fact that she made that 999 call this week says a lot.”

Police said the victim has endured a catalogue of abuse over 23 years, including numerous strangulations and punches, repeated threats to kill, and an incident in which Lawrence falsely imprisoned her in a van for 24 hours.

The latest incident happened at the Oasis Caravan Park, Penally. Just two weeks earlier, Llanelli magistrates had issued a domestic violence protection order banning Lawrence from contacting the victim.

“Officers received the 999 call from the victim’s mobile, and it was a silent call,” police said. “When they arrived, they could see the victim through a bedroom window, with Christopher Lawrence alongside her.”

As the woman left the bedroom, Lawrence climbed into an ottoman under the bed in an attempt to evade arrest. Officers’ entry to the caravan was delayed by an aggressive dog, which the victim eventually secured, allowing police to get inside.

Lawrence was arrested and charged with breaching the protection order. In a police interview, the victim alleged he had assaulted her twice in the past fortnight.

“‘I’m scared physically and emotionally,” she told officers. “I’m afraid of what he’ll do when he gets out.”

Magistrates remanded Lawrence in custody for two months and ordered him to pay £285 in court costs.

Crime

Trial of men accused of murdering Ian Watkins delayed

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE TRIAL of two prison inmates accused of murdering former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has been delayed by a day.

Watkins, who was serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual offences, died following an alleged attack at HMP Wakefield last October.

Rashid Gedel, 25, who has been referred to in court as Rico Gedel, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, were due to stand trial at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday (May 5).

The case is now expected to begin on Wednesday (May 6).

Watkins was jailed in December 2013 for 29 years, with a further six years on licence, after admitting a series of child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby.

He was arrested after police executed a drugs warrant at his home in Pontypridd on September 21, 2012. Officers seized computers, mobile phones and storage devices, which later revealed evidence of his offending.

Watkins had previously been taken to hospital after being attacked in prison in 2023.

In 2019, he was jailed for an additional ten months after being found guilty of possessing a mobile phone while in prison.

Crime

70-year-old denies assault and restraining order breach

Published

4 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

4 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.