News

Jury retires tomorrow in harrowing Baby C rape trial

Published

23 seconds ago

December 8, 2025

Final legal points to be addressed in the morning before deliberations begin

THE JURY in the harrowing three-week trial concerning seven-week-old Baby C, who was allegedly raped by his mother’s partner, is expected to retire on Tuesday to consider its verdict.

Jurors heard highly charged closing speeches on the final day of evidence from barristers representing Christopher Phillips, who is accused of raping the infant, and the counsel acting for the baby’s mother.

Prosecuting, Tom Crowther KC described Phillips as “a malignant narcissist” and argued that Baby C’s mother had been manipulated by her new partner after being “dumped” by the baby’s biological father just four days before the birth.

“What the mother saw was the development of a healthy relationship,” he said. “She didn’t see a risk from Christopher Phillips. She may simply have been keen to find someone kind, to replace the baby’s father who left her four days before the birth.”

Crowther outlined the catalogue of injuries sustained by Baby C before his emergency admission to West Wales General Hospital on January 24, 2021. They included a broken wrist, a broken ankle, a bleed on the brain, a swollen testicle and bruising to the chest. None of these injuries had been detected by GPs or hospital clinicians during repeated examinations.

“If the doctor didn’t see the broken bones, how could the mother?” Crowther asked the jury. “None of the doctors or medical consultants identified a brain injury, a wrist injury, an ankle injury or suspicious bruising — and these are highly trained safeguarding professionals. How could the mother see that which the doctors couldn’t?”

He said the mother admitted failing her son but insisted she had never claimed to have seen anything that raised a red flag. He added that parental failure, in various forms, was commonplace.

“Yes, she did fail, but parents fail in big and small ways in their children’s lives. When things happen to our children we wrack our brains, knowing we could have done things differently. Most of us move on. She must now look back to that last moment of love and peace with her baby, with a man who did everything to take it from her.”

Crowther also dismissed any suggestion that Phillips’ strong interest in anal sex should have alerted the mother to danger.

“Anal sex for Mr Phillips is an abiding passion, but it is also part of many people’s sexual repertoire,” he said. “The idea that the mother should have linked that to the baby’s bottom bleed makes no sense. She asked her family, she asked her doctors, and she even asked her new partner. Phillips suggested it may have been a haemorrhoid. This nineteen-year-old new mum didn’t know that babies don’t get haemorrhoids.”

For the defence, John Hipkin KC told the jury that despite the horrific nature of the case, “things aren’t as clear cut as they seem”.

“This has been a horrendous case and we acknowledge that Baby C has been catastrophically physically and sexually abused,” he said. “The issue is who did it. Christopher Phillips has denied it throughout, and the question is whether the prosecution has proved he was the perpetrator.

“Anyone hearing this case would feel emotion — revulsion springs to mind. And if it were a popularity contest, Christopher Phillips would be low on your list. But you don’t find him guilty because you don’t like him. You can only convict if you are sure.”

Hipkin urged the jury to view the evidence with “scepticism”.

“There is no evidence linking him physically to any of the injuries,” he said. “He was around Baby C and had access to him — and that is it. He only had access when the mother was in the same room or briefly in another room of the small flat. It is a huge leap for the prosecution to say Phillips was responsible.”

In his summing up, Judge Paul Thomas reminded the jury of the extent of Baby C’s injuries. The head injury was described as being “akin to falling off a building or being in a road accident”, well beyond rough handling. The anal injuries — including a gaping wound — were so severe the baby could only be settled with morphine. A specialist paediatric medic told the court she had administered morphine to such a young baby only “a handful of times” in 25 years. The baby had also suffered blunt force trauma to a testicle.

At around 3.50pm today (Monday), Judge Thomas told the court that the case will resume in the morning. He said two minor legal points remain, each expected to take no more than a minute. Once they are dealt with, the jury will retire to consider its verdict. “It will take as long as it takes,” the judge said.

Phillips, 34, of Kiln Park, Burton, is charged with causing serious physical and sexual harm to Baby C in January 2021. The baby’s mother faces separate charges of allowing serious physical harm and child cruelty for allegedly failing to protect her son.

The jury is expected to begin its deliberations on Tuesday.

Entertainment

Artistic licence brings comedy classic noises off to the Torch Theatre

Published

2 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE theatre company Artistic Licence is preparing to bring the much-loved farce Noises Off to the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven from Thursday 5 to Saturday 7 February.

It is 25 years since the National Theatre’s ground-breaking production of Michael Frayn’s comedy first wowed audiences. Now Artistic Licence is presenting its own take on what critics have long hailed as “the greatest farce ever written”.

Packed with slamming doors, flying sardines and backstage mayhem, Noises Off follows a theatre company whose production is falling apart both on stage and behind the scenes. The result is a chaotic tribute to live theatre – and the perfect night out for anyone who has ever been on stage, or simply sat in the audience.

Local cast takes centre stage

The entire cast is drawn from Pembrokeshire performers. Artistic Licence, which champions local talent, has assembled a strong ensemble for the show.

The company includes Kerry Steed as Dotty/Mrs Clackett, Marcus Lewis as Lloyd, Alex Jukes as Garry/Roger, Laura Barrett as Brooke/Vicki, Will Oliver as Frederick/Phillip/Sheikh, Janine Lewis as Belinda/Flavia, Frank Tobin as Selsdon/Burglar, Hun Benbow as Tim/Stage Manager, and Chloe Wheeler as Poppy/ASM.

Artistic Licence was founded by Carol Mackintosh, Trisha Biffen and Marcus Lewis to bring classic plays and quality comedy to local audiences, while giving Pembrokeshire actors the opportunity to perform at the county’s only professional producing theatre.

“We’re so excited to be bringing Noises Off to the Torch,” said Carol, Tricia and Marcus. “It’s one of the funniest plays ever written, and it’s a real treat to work with such a talented group of local performers. Artistic Licence is all about celebrating great writing and giving Pembrokeshire talent a chance to shine – and Noises Off is the perfect show for that.”

How to book

Performances take place in the Torch Theatre’s Main House from 5–7 February 2026. Tickets are available now from the Box Office on 01646 695267 or online at torchtheatre.co.uk.

For anyone who loves theatre, laughter and a generous dose of organised chaos, this is one not to miss.

Education

Pembrokeshire creative project experiences ‘significant success’

Published

4 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Tom Sinclair

YR EGINY, University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s creative and digital centre on the Carmarthen campus, is proud to report the early impact of ground-breaking project Gwd Thing: Sir Benfro!

The project received £49,952 in funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, distributed by Pembrokeshire County Council and in only 6-months Gwd Thing: Sir Benfro! has engaged with 49 businesses and community groups, worked alongside 10 creative freelancers and social media specialists and trained in depth six young content creators to capture and share the stories and heritage of Pembrokeshire.

At the heart of the project was a commitment to provide young people with hands-on, real-world experience in researching, filming and engaging audiences with authentic digital content creation. Thanks to Yr Egin’s industry expertise, mentoring, and infrastructure, the participants, who were all aged between 18-22 years old, gained first-hand insight into production and storytelling.

The Project was delivered through a dedicated Instagram platform, generating 134,714 content views since launching mid-August; with each content maker developing their own style, all while making contacts for further work.

Manon John, from Crymych and a recent graduate of UWTSD, one of the six content creators, shared how transformative the experience has been for her:

“Being part of Gwd Thing: Sir Benfro has changed the way I see myself. After studying BA Perfformio at The Wales Academy of Voice and Dramatic Arts, I always thought I’d be in front of the camera. But now, I realise I’m just as passionate about producing and working behind the scenes.

“I’ve loved uncovering under-represented stories across Pembrokeshire, like the community fundraising efforts for Eisteddfod y Garreg Las 2026, and the work happening at diversity group, Llwy Gariad. There are so many voices in our communities that need to be heard and celebrated, and I feel honoured to help share their stories.

“As the project comes to an end, I am now so proud to have secured a role working at Yr Egin, where I can continue to build on my skills and network with the many creative businesses working within the space. This wouldn’t have been possible without the opportunities offered by Gwd Thing:Sir Benfro.”

Commenting about boosting the creative sector and businesses in West Wales, is Carys Ifan, Director of Yr Egin:

“Gwd Thing: Sir Benfro wasn’t just about storytelling, it was about future-proofing.

“Projects like this are vital to securing the future of the creative sector in West Wales. Yr Egin has always aimed to generate linguistic, cultural, economic, and social benefits for our region, and this project does all that. By giving young people practical training in content creation and real-world opportunities, we’re helping to build the next generation of creators. At the same time, the stories reported helped change perspectives and raise awareness of the many small businesses, community groups and talented artistes, that make Pembrokeshire such a special place to live, work and enjoy.”

The project’s impact has travelled beyond social media, with Molara Awen, founder of weekly safe-space group for young black and brown people in rural Pembrokeshire, Llwy Gariad, has seen a profound impact through its inclusion in the project.

Molara, said: “One of the most powerful aspects of Gwd Thing: Sir Benfro is how it amplified under-represented voices.

“Gwd Thing has helped raise visibility for Llwy Gariad in a way we never imagined. For our young people, this space is more than a meeting point, it’s a place where they can connect, explore their identities, feel seen and heard. Having our group feature as part of the project has been fantastic in raising awareness of our members and the challenges they can sometimes face living in rural Wales.

Following the Gwd Thing: Sir Benfro programme that ran from June to November 2025, Yr Egin expects its effects to ripple well beyond that timeline. The training, content, and connections made will persist as part of a longer-term legacy; nurturing talent, increasing digital capacity, and strengthening cultural infrastructure in West Wales.

News

Lib Dems to force Commons vote on new customs union with EU

Published

4 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS will force a vote in Parliament this week calling for the UK to begin negotiations on a new customs union with the European Union, stepping up pressure on the Labour government to soften its stance on Europe.

The move follows growing speculation of internal disagreements within the Labour cabinet over how far the UK should go in rebuilding economic ties with the EU. Ministers have repeatedly ruled out rejoining the single market or customs union, but pressure is mounting amid concerns over sluggish growth and rising taxes.

Ten Minute Rule Bill to be presented

Liberal Democrat Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton MP will introduce a Ten Minute Rule Bill proposing that the UK formally open talks with Brussels on establishing a fresh customs union. The vote comes just two weeks after the UK Government’s budget, which included warnings about continuing economic headwinds.

The party says the financial case for improving trade arrangements is now overwhelming. Research by the House of Commons Library, commissioned by the Liberal Democrats, suggests the UK is losing around £250m a day in tax revenue as a result of Brexit’s economic impact. A separate analysis estimates that a more ambitious trade deal with the EU could bring in an additional £25bn a year for the Treasury.

Welsh businesses among hardest hit

Welsh firms have been particularly affected by post-Brexit trading disruption. A report published over the summer indicated that exports from Wales to the EU fell by around 31% between 2019 and 2024, while imports from the EU to Wales dropped by 20%.

The Liberal Democrats argue that a renewed customs agreement could also give greater protection to Welsh industries vulnerable to international market pressures, including steel. The party has suggested that closer alignment with Europe could help shield the sector from the impact of US tariffs and steel dumping by China.

‘The biggest lever to boost the Welsh economy’

Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesperson David Chadwick MP said the government could not continue to “bury its head in the sand” over Brexit’s economic consequences.

“The Chancellor has admitted the damage Brexit has done to our economy, including burying Welsh businesses in mountains of red tape, yet the government is refusing to take the steps needed to fix it,” he said.

“A customs union with the EU is the single biggest lever this government could pull to turbocharge the Welsh economy. We will work with MPs across Parliament who want a closer trading relationship with Europe, to cut red tape, boost growth, and properly fund our public services.”

The bill is unlikely to become law, but the vote is expected to increase political pressure on the government as debate intensifies over the future of UK–EU relations.