Crime
Violence at HMP Parc has doubled in five years new data shows
Dozens of Pembrokeshire inmates among those affected as assaults surge behind bars
VIOLENCE inside HMP Parc has more than doubled in the past five years, with a sharp rise in both prisoner-on-prisoner assaults and attacks on staff, according to figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests.
Many inmates from Pembrokeshire are currently housed at the privately-run Bridgend prison, which serves as the main Category B facility for much of South and West Wales.
The new data, released by Legal Expert, reveals that assaults between prisoners have soared from 255 in 2019 to 522 in 2024/25. Over the same period, staff assaults have almost doubled from 99 in 2022/23 to 199 in 2024/25.
Experts say the violence is being fuelled by chronic overcrowding, staff shortages, and worsening mental health among inmates. Government research published in June confirmed a strong link between overcrowding and violence, showing that prisoners in overpopulated jails are nearly 20% more likely to be involved in assaults.

In response, the Ministry of Justice has pledged £40 million in new security measures as part of its “Plan for Change”, including the creation of 14,000 additional prison places by 2031.
Patrick Mallon, a solicitor at JF Law, said: “The consistent rise in assaults across UK prisons highlights a system stretched to breaking point. With record inmate numbers and many facilities operating beyond capacity, the environment has become increasingly volatile.
“The government must ensure that investment isn’t limited to infrastructure but also focuses on addressing staff shortages and improving inmate welfare. Without that, violence will continue to escalate.”
HMP Parc currently holds around 1,800 inmates. Nationally, the prison population has more than doubled in the past three decades—from 43,000 in 1994 to over 88,000 in 2024—while staffing levels have remained largely unchanged.
Across England and Wales last year, there were 10,568 assaults on prison staff and 20,570 prisoner-on-prisoner assaults—rises of 7% and 9% respectively.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “This government inherited a prison system in crisis, overcrowded and rife with violence. We are fixing this by delivering the fastest prison-building programme in over a century.”
Patrick Mallon added: “The Prison Service has a legal duty of care to protect individuals in its custody. Where it has failed to do so—such as by not segregating a vulnerable inmate—that individual may be entitled to seek compensation.
“Prison officers also have a right to a safe workplace, with proper training and resources. These claims are not just about compensation, but about holding authorities to account and demanding systemic change.”
HMP Parc has been the subject of multiple high-profile incidents in recent years, including drug-related deaths and concerns about gang control. Several offenders from Pembrokeshire have served or are currently serving their sentences there.
Crime
Two Milford Haven men sent to Crown Court on GBH charges
The incident stems from a violent incident outside The Vibe public house, Milford Haven involving three men – a woman was also wounded in the incident
TWO Milford Haven men have been sent to Swansea Crown Court charged with section 18 wounding after an alleged incident in the town on November 15.
David McCallum, 41, of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates court on Monday (Nov 17). He is accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding a woman in Milford Haven with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
McCallum also faces a second section 18 charge alleging that, on the same date in Milford Haven, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded a man with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.
He was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, with the prosecution conducted by Nia James.
On Tuesday (Nov 18), Nathan Abbott, 31, also of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared before District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest magistrates court.
Abbott is charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding a man in Milford Haven on November 15 with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
He was represented by Mike Kelleher, of Welch & Co.
Abbott also gave no plea, and his case was likewise sent to Swansea Crown Court under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
Both McCallum and Abbott were remanded on conditional bail.
McCallum’s bail conditions include a curfew from 7:00pm to 7:00am, to be electronically monitored, not to contact directly or indirectly witnesses, and not to enter any public house, licensed club or off-licence.
Abbott’s bail conditions include living and sleeping each night at his home address , not to contact witnesses directly or indirectly, and not to enter licensed premises.
Both men must appear for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing at Swansea Crown Court on December 19, 2025, at 9:00am.
No pre-sentence reports were ordered and no indication was given regarding any victim personal statements at this stage.
Crime
Aberystwyth man remanded after admitting cocaine supply
Case sent to Swansea Crown Court for sentencing
AN ABERYSTWYTH man has been remanded in custody after admitting possessing cocaine with intent to supply and having £7,000 in criminal cash.
Luke Hutton, 25, of Corporation Street, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Nov 17) for his first hearing. The case was heard by a bench of Mr J Steadman, Mrs M Scott and Mr R John. He was represented by Jessica Hill and Mike Kelleher, while the prosecution was led by Nia James.
Hutton pleaded guilty to two offences arising from a police incident at Yr Hafan, Princess Street, Aberystwyth, on November 14.
The first charge was possessing £7,000 in criminal property, contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The second was possessing a quantity of cocaine, a Class A drug, with intent to supply.
Magistrates were told that Hutton indicated guilty pleas to both matters on the day of his appearance.
Because of the seriousness of the charges, the bench committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence under Section 14 of the Sentencing Act 2020. A pre-sentence report has been ordered.
Magistrates refused bail, citing the likelihood of further offending, the seriousness of the offences and the likely custodial sentence. Hutton was remanded into custody.
He will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on December 1, 2025, at 9:00am, for a committal for sentence hearing, listed for 30 minutes.
Crime
Motorcyclist to return to court over Dinas Cross crash that seriously injured woman
Case adjourned after part-heard trial at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court
A MAN accused of causing serious injury to a woman by careless driving on the A487 at Dinas Cross will return to court next month after his trial was adjourned part-heard.
Aleksandrs Lohins, 61, of Mayfield Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne, is charged with causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving, contrary to section 2C of the Road Traffic Act. The allegation relates to a collision on April 9, 2023, in which motorcyclist Anna Titorchuk suffered serious injuries.
Lohins is alleged to have been riding a Honda GL-1800 motorcycle, registration WJ05 MDE, without due care and attention when the incident occurred.
The trial began at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Nov 17), with a bench comprising Mr J Steadman, Mrs M Scott and Mr R John. Lohins was represented by defence solicitor Mike Kelleher, while the prosecution was led by Nia James.
After hearing evidence, magistrates adjourned the case part-heard.
Lohins remains on unconditional bail.
The matter will resume at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on December 8, 2025, at 11:00am, in Courtroom 1. The hearing is listed for an estimated 20 minutes, and the defendant must attend.
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