Crime
Milford Haven man, 65, convicted of sexual assault on teenage girl
Huw Bridges denied the charges but was found guilty by a jury at Swansea Crown Court following a trial
A MAN in his sixties has been convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage girl following a trial at Swansea Crown Court.
Huw Bridges, 65, of Haven Drive, Hakin, denied two counts of sexual assault but was found guilty by a jury after around two-and-a-half hours of deliberations.
The court heard that one incident took place on June 2, 2024, when the complainant, who was aged 16 at the time, was taken by Bridges on his motorbike to a secluded area near Carew Castle.
Prosecutor Hannah George told the jury that the pair went for a walk, during which Bridges kissed the teenager despite her trying to move away and telling him that it made her feel uncomfortable. He then went on to touch her breasts and vagina over her clothing.
The jury was told the teenager reported the incident to her parents almost immediately after returning home. It was then that she also disclosed an earlier allegation, dating from between October 2020 and October 2021, in which Bridges was accused of touching her vagina over her clothing on another occasion.
“The prosecution’s case is that the defendant had a sexual interest in teenage girls,” Ms George said.
Bridges was arrested on June 14, 2024, and later interviewed by police. In a prepared statement, he denied sexually assaulting the complainant.
He accepted that there had been physical contact but claimed he had only put his arm around the teenager and “pecked her on the cheek” in an attempt to comfort her, insisting the gesture was not sexual in nature.
After the jury returned guilty verdicts on both counts, Judge Geraint Walters adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
Bridges was re-admitted to bail and is now required to register as a sex offender. He is due to return to court for sentencing on Thursday, February 6.
Crime
Pembroke Dock man denies coercive control allegations
Case sent to Crown Court amid claims of stalking, abduction and dangerous driving
A PEMBROKE DOCK man is to appear before a Crown Court judge charged with repeatedly engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour towards a woman.
Alfie Hegarty, aged 20, of Church Street, Pembroke Dock, is accused of repeatedly or continuously engaging in behaviour said to have controlled the complainant’s social media use, restricted who she could speak to and involved extreme jealousy.
“The allegations go further than that and include abduction, dangerous driving, stalking, coercive controlling behaviour and harassment,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.
Mr Davies asked magistrates to decline jurisdiction because of the seriousness of the case.
“This is not suitable for summary trial, given the effect that it’s had on the victim,” he said.
Hegarty denied the allegation. No representations were made by his solicitor.
Magistrates granted the Crown’s request and the case was sent to Swansea Crown Court, where proceedings are due to begin on March 27.
Hegarty was released on conditional bail. The conditions are that he must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly and must not enter her address in Neyland.
Crime
Milford Haven pensioner admits sexually assaulting two shop workers
76-year-old touched victims and kissed one on the neck, court hears
A MILFORD HAVEN man has admitted sexually assaulting two women at a shop by touching their buttocks and kissing one of them on the neck.
“These were sexual touching elements, which made the victims feel extremely uncomfortable,” said Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies when John Mason appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.
The first incident took place at a Milford Haven store on August 3, 2025.
“The victim contacted the police as she’d been working in the store and recognised the defendant when he walked in,” said Mr Davies.
She was standing by the counter when Mason approached from behind, placed his hands on her shoulders and used his right hand to touch her bottom.
“There was definitely a sexual element there,” added the prosecutor.
The second victim told officers she also recognised Mason, who had entered the store on a number of occasions.
“He grabbed her buttock with one hand, which she found unacceptable, and kissed the back of her neck,” said Mr Davies. “This made her feel very uncomfortable and there was again a sexual touching element.”
Mason, aged 76, of Coombs Drive, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual assault.
Sentencing was adjourned until March 17 to allow the probation service to prepare an all-options report. Mason was released on bail with conditions not to enter the stores where the victims work and not to contact them directly or indirectly.
Crime
Man accused of sexual offences against child appears in court
29-year-old denies six charges as case sent to Swansea Crown Court
A MERLINS BRIDGE man has appeared before magistrates charged with a series of serious sexual offences involving a child.
Adam Frank, aged 29, faces three charges of sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl by penetration, namely that he allegedly penetrated her vagina with his fingers. He also faces three further charges of intentionally touching a child in a sexual manner.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between January 19, 2018 and March 1, 2020.
Frank, of St Margarets Close, Merlins Bridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where his solicitor, Michael Kelleher, indicated not guilty pleas to each charge.
Given the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case was sent to Swansea Crown Court. Frank was released on unconditional bail and is due to appear before the Crown Court on March 27.
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