Crime

Man jailed after sending sexual videos to supposed teenage girls online

Published

2 months ago

December 28, 2025

Defendant sent explicit content within minutes of contact after being told children were aged thirteen and fourteen

A CARMARTHENSHIRE man who sent explicit sexual videos and messages to what he believed were underage girls has been jailed after being exposed by online paedophile hunters.

Devon Wildgust, aged 22, was arrested after contacting two social media profiles on the Connect2.me platform in November, unaware that both accounts were decoys operated by adult volunteers.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Wildgust first made contact with a profile on November 16. Despite being told the girl was thirteen, he continued the conversation, exchanged phone numbers and moved the chat onto WhatsApp.

The court was told the conversation quickly became sexual. Wildgust sent a photograph of a naked woman and suggested the girl take similar images of herself. He later sent a video of himself masturbating and made sexually explicit comments after being shown a photograph purportedly of the girl wearing a school uniform.

In messages shown to the court, Wildgust made graphic remarks about wanting to remove the uniform and engage in sexual activity. He also claimed he had previously engaged in sexual behaviour involving a friend’s younger sister — a claim he later told police was untrue.

Three days later, Wildgust contacted a second decoy profile on the same platform. Just seventeen minutes after initiating the conversation, he sent another explicit video of himself masturbating.

After being told the second girl was fourteen, he asked whether she liked older men and requested nude images, including asking to see her breasts. When the decoy replied that her mother had warned her never to send pictures, Wildgust told her her mother did not need to know.

On November 22, members of a paedophile hunter group confronted Wildgust at his home address in Ammanford and detained him before contacting police.

Wildgust was arrested and his mobile phone was seized, though he refused to provide the PIN code. Police attempts to access the device using specialist software were unsuccessful.

Four days later, officers were called after Wildgust breached his bail conditions by attending his stepfather’s address and refusing to leave. The court heard he was fearful of being targeted in the community after his identity became known.

Sentencing the defendant, Judge Geraint Walters said he was continually surprised that individuals were still committing such offences given the effectiveness of police investigations and online decoy operations.

He warned that consequences for offenders frequently extended beyond the courtroom, including being ostracised or driven out of their communities.

Defending, Emily Bennett said Wildgust had expressed disgust at his own actions and said the breach of bail occurred when he sought refuge after learning his identity had been circulated locally.

Wildgust, of Lon y Gruglas, Ammanford, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child and one count of attempting to incite a child to engage in a sexual act. He had no previous convictions.

Taking into account his guilty pleas, Judge Walters sentenced him to two years in prison. He will serve up to half the sentence in custody before being released on licence.

Wildgust was also ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period.

Support and advice

Anyone affected by sexual abuse, or concerned about the safety of a child, can contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or visit nspcc.org.uk for confidential advice and support.

Children and young people c

Crime

Man who threw corrosive liquid at guest and fled abroad jailed

Published

1 day ago

February 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A BUSINESSMAN who threw a corrosive liquid into a guest’s face during a row at a spiritual retreat before fleeing the country has been jailed for 18 months.

Dean Mayze, aged 38, from Abercrave in Powys, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm following the attack at his Hafan-y-Coed retreat in December 2022.

Swansea Crown Court heard the assault happened after an argument with guest Keifer Price, who had complained about the condition of his accommodation, including a lack of heating and washing facilities.

During the confrontation, Mayze produced a blue container and threw its contents upwards into the victim’s face.

The liquid — described as smelling like ammonia — entered Mr Price’s eyes, nose and mouth, leaving him in severe pain and struggling to breathe.

Medical evidence confirmed injuries consistent with a chemical burn to both eyes. He suffered abrasions, a corneal defect and the loss of the outer corneal layer in one eye, requiring significant treatment to prevent permanent sight loss. He has since recovered without lasting injury.

Fled across Europe

Following the attack, Mayze fled the UK, triggering an international search.

The court heard he travelled across several European countries, including Ireland, France, Italy, Croatia and Greece, before eventually being arrested in Romania in 2025.

Despite being on the run, he remained in regular contact with police by text and email, at one point telling officers he would not be returning to Wales.

His partner initially claimed responsibility for the assault and later received a suspended prison sentence after admitting perverting the course of justice.

Previous conviction

The court was told Mayze has a previous conviction for wounding involving a corrosive substance in Kent in 2013.

Defence barrister Andrew Taylor said his client had experienced harsh conditions while detained in Romania, including contracting scabies without treatment, and described him as remorseful.

However, Judge Geraint Walters said it was “pure luck” the victim had not suffered permanent injuries, describing the attack as a “particularly wicked way of inflicting violence”.

Sentence and order

Mayze, who appeared via video link from prison, had previously denied a more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and made subject to a three-year restraining order.

Crime

Police appeal after man injured in St Davids incident

Published

1 day ago

February 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for witnesses following an incident in St Davids which left one man injured.

The incident happened in Nun Street at around 11:10am on Tuesday, December 30. The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment.

Officers confirmed that a man has been arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident.

Police are now asking anyone with information, dash cam footage, or CCTV that could assist the investigation to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online at:
https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/

Alternatively, email [email protected], send a direct message via social media, or call 101 quoting reference DP20251230094.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Sexual assault allegation to be tried

Published

1 day ago

February 18, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Accused granted conditional bail

A SEXUAL assault allegation has been listed for trial following a hearing before magistrates.

David Fletcher, 45, of Chestnut Way, Mount Estate, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, appeared before magistrates in Llanelli on Thursday (Feb 12) charged with sexual assault, contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The charge alleges that on March 16, 2025, at Johnston, Pembrokeshire, he intentionally touched a woman aged 16 or over and that the touching was sexual when she did not consent and he did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

The matter was adjourned for trial and Fletcher was remanded on conditional bail.

The trial is listed for March 9, 2026 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions prohibit him from entering a specified premises in Johnston, from contacting directly or indirectly the complainant or any prosecution witnesses, and from posting any information relating to the investigation on social media. The conditions were imposed to prevent further offending and to prevent interference with witnesses or obstruction of justice.