Crime

Church knew of abuse claims against former bishop decades before arrest

Published

7 months ago

October 2, 2025

THE CHURCH IN WALES has admitted that senior clergy were alerted to concerns about Anthony Pierce in the 1980s, years before he rose through the ranks to become Bishop of Swansea and Brecon.

Pierce, now 70, was jailed in March for four years and one month after pleading guilty to five indecent assaults on a boy under the age of 16 between 1985 and 1990, when he was still a parish priest.

A former student at Swansea University, Alisdair Adams, has revealed he reported inappropriate behaviour by Pierce in the mid-1980s. He says he was invited to dinner by the priest, given alcohol but no food, and then touched inappropriately when the lights were switched off.

Mr Adams said he was furious to later see Pierce sentenced, knowing the Church had received complaints decades earlier. “They had information and they didn’t investigate it. They just pushed it to one side,” he said.

The Church has confirmed that the then Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, Benjamin Vaughan, was told of the allegation at the time. However, there is no record of Pierce facing any disciplinary action, and he went on to continue his ministry before becoming bishop in 1999. Vaughan died in 2003.

Mr Adams, now 59, said: “It still makes me livid that they knew about this 40 years ago. Safeguarding is better today, of course, but why were students’ claims not investigated?”

The BBC investigation which uncovered the claims also heard from another student who reported similar concerns about Pierce in the 1980s, and it is understood a third student was spoken to at the time.

The Church in Wales has said the clergy involved acted “in accordance with appropriate practice at the time”, but stressed that procedures have since changed. Today, such an allegation would be referred directly to safeguarding professionals.

The Church has also confirmed that Pierce faced a separate allegation in 1993 which was not referred to the police until 2010. A report on that case is expected to be published in October, with Mr Adams’ complaint set to be included.

Pierce served as Bishop of Swansea and Brecon from 1999 until 2008. When sentencing him earlier this year, a judge said he had behaved “hypocritically and in breach of the trust invested in you by the community.”

A Church spokesperson said safeguarding officers remain in contact with Mr Adams and continue to urge anyone with concerns to come forward.

Crime

70-year-old denies assault and restraining order breach

Published

3 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

3 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

3 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.