Crime

Tenby pub encounter led to lockdown rape, court hears

Published

1 month ago

December 12, 2025

A London visitor carried out a serious sexual attack during a family holiday in Pembrokeshire

A LONDON man who raped a woman in a Tenby alleyway during the Covid lockdown period has been jailed for eight and a half years.

Nicholas Mitchell, aged 60, had travelled to the seaside town from Bromley with his daughters in May 2021, as pandemic restrictions were beginning to ease. While out drinking, he struck up a conversation with a woman in a local pub.

Later that night, the court heard, Mitchell followed her into a narrow alleyway, where he subjected her to a serious sexual assault before raping her. He then left the area, abandoning the woman in a state of shock and distress.

Police were alerted and an investigation led to Mitchell’s arrest. He denied any wrongdoing, but a jury convicted him in November of two counts of rape and one count of assault by penetration.

During sentencing at Swansea Crown Court, prosecutor Ian Wright read a victim impact statement in which the woman described the profound effect the attack had on her life. She said she became withdrawn and struggled to leave her home, describing feelings of loneliness, numbness and depression. She told the court the incident had left lasting damage and prevented her from moving forward.

Mitchell was represented by defence barrister James Hartson, who said his client continued to protest his innocence but understood the court was bound by the jury’s findings. He said character references portrayed Mitchell as supportive and hard-working, and argued the offending was entirely out of character.

The defence also drew attention to a delay of more than three years between Mitchell’s arrest and formal charging, describing it as deeply unsatisfactory for all involved.

Sentencing, Judge Huw Rees rejected any suggestion the offending was momentary or accidental. He said Mitchell had deliberately targeted the victim and carried out a violent and degrading attack before walking away without concern for her welfare.

Addressing the defendant, the judge said alcohol was no excuse, describing the assault as driven by sexual entitlement and calling Mitchell’s actions wicked.

Mitchell will serve two-thirds of his sentence in custody before being released on licence. He will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.

The court was told Mitchell has a previous conviction for assaulting a police officer in October 2020, following an incident linked to a domestic dispute with his estranged wife.

Crime

Man pleads guilty after £150k drugs haul found in Pembroke traffic stop

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Routine police check led to discovery of cocaine and cannabis in car boot

A MAN has pleaded guilty after a routine traffic stop in Pembroke led to the discovery of Class A and Class B drugs with an estimated street value of more than £150,000.

On the morning of Friday (Jan 2), officers from the local Road Policing Unit stopped a grey Seat Ateca on Holyland Road, Pembroke, driven by 43-year-old Dean Evans.

During the stop, Evans made comments to officers suggesting they would find “stuff” in the vehicle. As a result, both he and the car were searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

A cardboard box was discovered in the boot containing a one-kilogram block of cocaine along with ten half-kilogram packages of herbal cannabis. The combined street value of the drugs was said to be well in excess of £150,000.

Evans was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs.

Following his arrest, officers carried out a search of Evans’ property, which led to the seizure of a black Mercedes AMG and a VOGE DS900 motorcycle under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The Mercedes was also searched and found to contain a wallet holding more than £200 in cash, along with a clear snap-seal bag containing a white substance which later tested positive for cocaine.

Evans was charged with possession with intent to supply both Class A and Class B drugs and pleaded guilty at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (Jan 3).

He was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on Friday (Jan 23).

Crime

Man fined after admitting public order offence

Published

3 days ago

January 8, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been fined after admitting a public order offence.

Gareth Williams, aged 45, of Merlins Bridge, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jan 7).

The court heard that Williams was charged with using threatening or abusive words or behaviour, contrary to the Public Order Act, during an incident on December 28, 2025.

He pleaded guilty to the offence at the first opportunity.

Magistrates imposed a fine, and ordered Williams to pay prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.

Crime

Man fined and banned from driving after insurance offence

Published

4 days ago

January 8, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE man has been fined and disqualified from driving after admitting a motoring offence.

Rhys Phillips, aged 33, of Bush Street, Pembroke, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jan 7).

The court heard that Phillips drove a motor vehicle without insurance on October 2, 2025.

He pleaded guilty to the offence.

Magistrates imposed a fine, endorsed his licence with penalty points, and imposed a driving disqualification due to his record. He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.