Crime

Couple jailed for raping teenage girl after night of drinking

Published

9 months ago

September 22, 2025

Bridgend pair sentenced to more than eight years each after jury convicts them of rape and assault

A TEENAGER who had been drinking vodka woke to find herself being raped by a man while his partner held her down, Cardiff Crown Court has heard.

Robert Ellis-Evans, 39, and Sarah Vigus, 38, both of Heol Degwm, North Cornelly, targeted the 17-year-old after a night of heavy drinking. The jury was told the pair had already expressed a sexual interest in the victim in private messages, and had previously discussed their desire to engage in group sex.

The court heard the victim had passed out, or fallen asleep, due to intoxication. When she woke, Vigus was restraining her by gripping her tightly around the waist while Ellis-Evans was penetrating her.

The girl screamed and cried when she realised what was happening. Ellis-Evans pulled on his clothes while Vigus attempted to calm the teenager, insisting she had consented. The victim immediately rejected this claim and later told her parents what had happened. Police were contacted, and both defendants were arrested the following morning.

During police interview, both denied raping the teenager. Vigus admitted digital penetration but claimed it had been consensual. Despite their denials, a jury convicted Ellis-Evans of rape, and Vigus of both rape and assault by penetration.

In a victim personal statement read to the court, the teenager described the deep psychological impact of the attack. She said: “Every day I think about what happened, it has had a massive effect on my mental health. I feel dirty and ashamed, and no matter how many times I bathe or shower I cannot feel clean. I have fallen out of love with my body and who I am. I thought of self-harm and suicide, I felt powerless and out of control.”

She told the court that she struggles with intimacy, feels guilty for burdening her parents, and still relives the incident in her sleep. She added: “I am not the person I used to be. I grieve for the person I was.”

The case took two-and-a-half years to come to trial. The victim said that far from feeling relief at the guilty verdicts, she has been left “in survival mode, constantly second-guessing myself.”

Mitigation was put forward on behalf of both defendants. John Ryan, for Ellis-Evans, said his client had reflected on his behaviour, felt genuine remorse and had been unable to see his children since the offences. Martha Smith-Higgins, for Vigus, said her client had two children, had lost five stone in custody, and had stopped drinking. She was described as a “low risk of reoffending.”

Sentencing the pair, Judge Lucy Crowther said: “You both violated her in an intimate way, both emotionally and physically. She was a particularly vulnerable young woman, and you took advantage of that vulnerability. These were grave offences.”

Both Ellis-Evans and Vigus were sentenced to eight years and three months’ imprisonment. They must serve two-thirds before being released on licence. Each will remain subject to lifelong sex offender registration and an indefinite restraining order.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

3 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.