Crime

Man denies injuring baby as jury hears police interview in ongoing abuse trial

Published

4 months ago

November 27, 2025

THE JURY in the trial of a Pembrokeshire man accused of physically and sexually assaulting a baby heard his police interview today, in which he repeatedly denied ever harming the child.

Christopher Phillips, aged 34, of Kiln Park, Burton, is charged with multiple offences after a baby – referred to only as Baby C – was rushed to Glangwili Hospital in the early hours of 24 January 2021 following a 999 call from a flat in Haverfordwest.

The child’s mother, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is also on trial. She denies allowing the baby to suffer serious physical harm and denies child cruelty.

Multiple injuries of different ages

Earlier in the week, the court heard that an x-ray revealed the baby had suffered a fractured ankle, fractured wrist and six fractured ribs, alongside bruising to his back, neck and chest. A perforated eardrum, swelling and bleeding inside the ear, and reddening and injury to the buttocks were also noted.

Radiologist Professor Amaka Offiah previously told the jury there was “no underlying condition” that would make the child more vulnerable to fractures and said there had been “no explanation proffered” for how the injuries could have occurred.

“These injuries must have been inflicted,” she said.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told the jury that the child’s injuries have since “healed without complication.”

Paediatrician: injuries consistent with “penetrative blunt force trauma”

Today, consultant paediatrician Dr Louise Newbury, who specialises in cases of suspected child sexual abuse, gave detailed evidence.

She told the court that two sets of injuries were present: one likely caused between 12–17 January, and a second sometime between 23 January and the child’s hospital admission.

Her opinion was that the most severe injuries were “most likely caused by penetrative blunt force trauma” to the baby’s anus. She described redness extending from the anus up to the lower back, swelling, and a deep laceration which left “no muscle function at all” at the site of the cut.

The baby also had a testicle injury which Dr Newbury said was caused by either “blunt force trauma” or twisting, occurring sometime between 12–18 January. Bruising had left the scrotum a “dusky purple”.

She told the court the child was in “extreme distress” in hospital and required morphine twice – something she said she had rarely had to administer to a baby of that age in 25 years. Video of the child recorded the day before showed a “very different baby”, making it “very unlikely” the most serious injury occurred before that recording.

Defendant’s police interview read to the jury

This afternoon the jury heard the defendant’s police interview, read aloud by prosecutor Joshua Scouller and DC Jamie Hughes.

Asked directly whether he was responsible for the injuries, Phillips replied: “I’m not, no.”

He told officers he normally saw the baby’s mother around five times a week but preferred to leave her home around 1:00am or 2:00am because he “preferred the comfort” of his own house. He said he was only ever alone with the baby briefly, usually when the mother went to the bathroom.

Phillips described the baby as having been “crying more” that week because of an ear problem and said he had noticed nappy rash and blood in the child’s nappy, but no other injuries.

When questioned about the anal injury, he said he did not accept he had caused it:
“I don’t see how I could have caused the tear from wiping his [bottom]”

Officers asked him whether he had ever accidentally hurt, dropped or assaulted the child.
Phillips replied: “I have never accidentally or deliberately hurt [the baby]… I have never assaulted a child before.”

He also denied causing a head injury after officers asked about a message in which the baby’s mother had asked if he had “bumped” the child’s head. Phillips said he had only struck his own leg on a table while carrying the child and was unaware of any head injury.

The jury has been told that when paramedics were called on 24 January 2021, the baby was distressed, had blood in his nappy and a high temperature. Hospital staff quickly raised concerns of a “non-accidental injury”.

Expert witnesses: who they are

The jury has heard from two senior medical specialists in the fields relevant to the baby’s injuries.

Professor Amaka Offiah is Professor of Paediatric Musculoskeletal Imaging at the University of Sheffield and an Honorary Consultant Radiologist at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. She is widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading authorities on assessing skeletal injuries in infants and is a co-author of the national radiology guidelines used in cases of suspected child abuse. Her expertise includes distinguishing accidental fractures from those caused deliberately or through trauma.

Dr Louise Newbury is a Consultant Community Paediatrician and former Clinical Director of GRACE – the specialist child sexual abuse assessment service for south-east Wales. She is one of the clinicians in the UK accredited to the highest level for examinations in suspected child sexual abuse. Her work focuses on evaluating genital and anal injuries in babies and very young children and providing expert evidence to courts.

Both witnesses were asked by Dyfed-Powys Police to review the medical findings in this case and gave their professional assessments to the jury over the past two days.

The trial, prosecuted by Caroline Rees KC, with Tom Crowther KC representing Phillips and John Hipkin KC acting for the mother, continues before Judge Paul Thomas KC.

Proceedings will resume at 10:30am on Friday.

Crime

School threat fears grow across Wales as closures and lockdowns increase

Published

3 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CONCERNS are mounting over a growing number of school safety incidents across Wales after police enforced the closure of two Cardiff schools this week.

Llanishen High School and Eastern High School were closed on Monday (Mar 16) after South Wales Police received a report on Sunday evening. Officers said the decision was taken as a precaution while enquiries continue.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the nature of the report that prompted the closures, but the incident has raised wider questions about the number of schools being forced into lockdown or temporary closure following threats or safety concerns.

The Cardiff case is the latest in a series of incidents affecting schools across Wales over the past year.

Earlier this month, Ysgol Maesydderwen in Ystradgynlais was placed into lockdown after police received reports of threats of violence sent digitally. A seventeen-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the incident, which caused alarm among pupils and staff.

In February this year, Milford Haven School in Pembrokeshire went into lockdown after emergency services were called to a serious incident involving a pupil and a weapon. A fifteen-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident.

In another case, Ysgol Harri Tudur in Pembroke was placed in lockdown after threatening messages were received suggesting a pupil may have brought a knife onto the school site. Police attended while staff secured the school.

North Wales has also seen similar concerns. Ysgol y Grango in Wrexham was placed into lockdown after a threat was reported, with police attending while pupils were kept inside classrooms.

Another incident in November 2025 saw Dafen Community Primary School in Llanelli close for the day after online messages warned people would arrive at the school with knives. Police confirmed the closure was a precaution while the threats were investigated.

While many incidents ultimately prove to be hoaxes, rumours or isolated events, education leaders say the rapid spread of messages on social media has created new challenges for schools.

Threats or rumours shared on platforms such as Snapchat and WhatsApp can circulate quickly among pupils, sometimes triggering widespread concern before school staff have time to verify the information.

The issue has also drawn political attention.

Commenting on the latest Cardiff closures, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education Natasha Asghar MS said: “This is a deeply concerning situation for parents, pupils and staff, and I hope the police can carry out a swift investigation to avoid further disruption to families.

“Teachers and pupils must feel safe in school, and incidents like this raise serious concerns about safety.

“The Welsh Conservatives would restore discipline by introducing automatic exclusions for pupils who carry weapons, helping create a safer environment for students and staff.”

Debate around school safety intensified following the stabbing attack at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford in April 2024, when two teachers and a pupil were seriously injured.

The teenager responsible was later convicted of attempted murder, prompting calls for stronger measures to prevent weapons being brought into schools.

Despite the recent incidents, education leaders stress that schools remain safe environments for the vast majority of pupils. However, the combination of online threats, heightened safeguarding rules and rapid information sharing among students means schools and police are increasingly taking precautionary measures to protect staff and children.

With investigations continuing into the Cardiff closures, parents and teachers across Wales will be watching closely to see whether the incidents represent a worrying trend or a series of isolated cases.

Cover image:

Amman Valley school, in Ammanford, Wales, went into lockdown over a stabbing incident in 2024 (Photo: PA)

Crime

Man sentenced for stalking Milford Haven woman

Published

17 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates

A MAN has been sentenced after admitting stalking a woman in Milford Haven.

Andrew Richards, 39, of High Street, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

Richards had previously pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

The court heard that between December 2, 2025 and February 15, 2026, he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of a woman and which he knew, or ought to have known, amounted to harassment.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until September 8, 2027.

As part of the order, Richards must undertake alcohol treatment for nine months under the direction of the probation service.

He must also complete up to twenty days of rehabilitation activity as directed by probation.

Richards was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £500 compensation to the victim, £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court made a restraining order lasting until September 8, 2027.

Under the order, Richards must not contact the victim directly or indirectly and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material on social media or the internet referring to her directly or indirectly.

The court heard a victim personal statement from the complainant, which was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was prosecuted by Dennis Davies, with Richards represented by Mike Kelleher.

The hearing was before magistrates Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.

Crime

Man, 80, sentenced for stalking after campaign of unwanted emails and posters

Published

17 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed after Haverfordwest case

A MAN has been sentenced for stalking after admitting a campaign of unwanted contact and harassment in Haverfordwest.

Michael Lockheart, 80, of Daisy Lane, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

The court had previously heard that between July 27 and September 10, 2025, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to stalking.

The offence involved sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop making contact, putting up defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to the complainant’s GP and local authority.

Lockheart had entered a guilty plea to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, on January 27, 2026.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until March 8, 2028.

As part of that order, Lockheart must undergo non-residential mental health treatment for 12 months under Dr Cormac Duffy, as directed by probation.

He must also complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

Lockheart was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, a £600 fine, £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court also made a restraining order lasting until March 8, 2028.

Under that order, he must not seek, approach or communicate with the complainant by any means, directly or indirectly. He must not knowingly enter any address where she is living, and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material online or on social media referring to her directly or by implication.

A victim personal statement was read to the court by the prosecutor.