Crime

Former Army Cadet leader sentenced for child abuse image offences

Published

3 months ago

December 14, 2025

Judge condemns “horribly abused” victims as Carmarthen man admits offences

A FORMER Army Cadet instructor from Carmarthen has been sentenced for a string of child abuse image offences after police uncovered indecent material on his mobile phone.

Michael Monks, aged 55, of Russell Terrace, came to the attention of officers when a warrant was executed at his home in May 2022. During the search, police seized his Huawei phone, later discovering dozens of indecent images of children.

A forensic examination found 48 illegal images, including 25 Category A images – the most serious level, involving graphic sexual abuse. Officers also located three images involving bestiality.

The investigation showed Monks had been involved in a group on the encrypted messaging app Wickr, where members exchanged illegal material. The court heard he had both received images and shared four of his own with other users.

At the time, Monks was serving as a leader at the Army Cadet centre in Llanelli.

During his police interview, Monks denied any sexual interest in children and maintained that position until moments before his appearance at Swansea Crown Court.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told him the children depicted were “real victims being subjected to horrific abuse so that people like you could derive sexual gratification”. He added he had lost count of the number of defendants who had tried to claim they viewed such material “out of curiosity”.

The judge noted it was troubling that Monks had only just accepted he had a sexual interest in children, saying meaningful rehabilitation would not be possible unless offenders first acknowledge their behaviour.

Defending, Dan Griffiths said Monks’ reluctance to admit his sexual interest was likely due to shame, not deception. He said there had been no further offending in more than three years, suggesting his client could control his behaviour. Monks also cares for his wife and was willing to comply with any order imposed.

The court also heard of significant delays in the case. Although police received the forensic report in March 2023, they did not seek charging advice from the CPS until January 2025. Judge Thomas described the delay as “wholly unacceptable”.

Monks admitted three counts of possessing indecent images of children (Categories A, B and C), three counts of making such images, two counts of distributing images (Categories B and C), and one count of possessing extreme pornography. He had no previous convictions.

With credit for early guilty pleas, the court imposed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. Monks must undertake a rehabilitation programme, complete 200 hours of unpaid work, and comply with a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which restricts his internet use. He will also be on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Judge Thomas said he expected the Army Cadet organisation to take whatever action was necessary following the conviction.

Crime

Woman fined over £1,000 for illegally collecting rent without a licence

Published

2 days ago

March 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST woman has been ordered to pay more than £1,000 after admitting to unlawfully collecting rent at a property she was not licensed to manage.

Majeda Sikdar appeared at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court where she pleaded guilty to the offence, which took place at a property on Tasker Way in the town last April.

The court handed Sikdar a total bill of £1,046, made up of a £293 fine, £636 in costs, and a £117 surcharge.

Crime

Dangerous driver sentenced following a police chase through Carmarthenshire streets

Published

2 days ago

March 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A DANGEROUS driver has been sentenced after attempting to evade the police and hitting speeds of up to 70mph in residential streets.

Liam Williams, 31, from Station Road in Llanelli, was arrested on February 23 after he failed to stop for officers whilst driving without a valid licence and under the influence of drugs.

His black Jaguar XF was spotted travelling along New Dock Road, Llanelli, at around 2am. Williams quickly accelerated away from officers after turning into a residential area. Despite being warned to stop with blue lights, he reached an estimated speed of 50mph over the speed bumps on the 20mph road.

He then cut across a junction and turned on to the 40mph coastal road on the wrong side of a bollard. He continued to reach around 80mph to try and get away from pursuing officers.

Williams was unaware that Dyfed-Powys officers had set up a stinger site to puncture his tyres further along the road. He sped through the stinger site and continued towards the sandpiper roundabout. He reached speeds of 70mph and then appeared to lose control of the car at the roundabout. Officers noted that his front offside tyre was deflated and his brake disc was red hot and sparking.

Despite this, Williams exited the roundabout towards Llanelli town centre and appeared to lose control again. Officers attempted to pass him as he accelerated back up to speeds around 50mph on the 20mph road. Williams turned into smaller side streets to try and escape but was quickly followed by supporting officers.

As he returned to the main road towards Llanelli town centre, officers moved to box the vehicle in. The pursuit quickly came to an end and Williams was arrested for multiple offences.

A drug wipe showed that Williams was under the influence of cocaine. A further blood specimen was taken in custody, before he was charged and remanded.

He appeared in Llanelli Magistrates Court on Tuesday 10th March. He was found guilty of dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.

Williams was handed a 34-week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months. He was disqualified from driving for 34 months, followed by an extended re-test. He must also complete 100 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and pay £85 in court costs and a £187 surcharge.

Crime

Man jailed for romance fraud after conning three women out of nearly £50,000

Published

3 days ago

March 12, 2026

Court Reporter

A CARDIFF man who used fake identities on dating sites to defraud three women of almost £50,000 has been jailed.

Rodney Roberts, aged 40, of Trowbridge, Cardiff, was sentenced at Newport Crown Court to five years and one month in prison after pleading guilty to fraud by false representation.

Officers from the Proactive Economic Crime Team at the Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), working with South Wales Police, found that Roberts defrauded three victims of a combined £49,580 between 2021 and 2024. He contacted the women through online dating and social media platforms while using the false name “Paul Smith”.

Roberts first contacted a victim in February 2021. He initially claimed to be an American from California working in the UK as an attorney and financier. He later told the victim this was merely a cover story and that he was in fact an intelligence agent. Roberts claimed that because of his work he did not have direct control of his finances and asked the victim for financial help.

During the relationship he persuaded the woman to invest money in a fictitious investment company. He also assisted her in selling her home so she could invest more money into the scheme and encouraged her to open a bank account in her name for him to use. Unknown to the victim, Roberts also opened a cryptocurrency account in her name.

Roberts contacted a second victim in October 2022. Again he encouraged her to invest in what he claimed was a lucrative opportunity promising high returns. He showed her screenshots which appeared to show the investment growing in value, but these images were fabricated. Throughout the relationship Roberts repeatedly gave excuses for why he was unable to repay the money.

He contacted a third victim in March 2024, this time claiming to be an American television producer working for the BBC on a two-year visa. Roberts told the victim he was struggling to access his American bank accounts and asked for money to help him put down a deposit on a flat. As before, he used fake screenshots of accounts to convince her the investment was genuine, before providing excuses as to why the borrowed money could not be returned.

The third victim eventually became suspicious and carried out online searches, which led her to two historic news reports detailing previous fraud offences committed by Roberts under the alias Paul Smith. She then contacted South Wales Police.

Detective Constable Amanda Davies, of Tarian ROCU, said romance fraud was a growing and highly damaging crime.

“Offenders deliberately exploit trust and vulnerability,” she said. “Victims are often left with not only significant financial losses but also psychological distress and embarrassment, which can prevent them from reporting the offence.

“I am pleased with the sentence handed down today and hope it sends a message to others who would behave in such an abhorrent way for financial gain.

“I would also like to recognise the courage shown by the victims in helping us pursue a conviction and bring Roberts to justice.”

DC Davies urged anyone forming relationships online to remain cautious.

“Common warning signs include requests for money, reluctance to meet in person or by video call, or pressure to keep a relationship secret. Another warning sign is ‘love bombing’, where a new or prospective partner overwhelms someone with excessive attention, affection or grand gestures early in the relationship.

“Fraudsters are skilled at creating narratives that sound believable. If something feels too good to be true, trust your instincts and speak to friends or family.

“If you believe you may have been a victim of romance fraud, report it to Action Fraud.”

She added that Tarian ROCU would continue to pursue fraudsters and bring them before the courts.