Crime

CCRC refers sexual offence convictions for appeal as new evidence emerges

Published

3 months ago

January 22, 2026

Man convicted at Swansea Crown Court in 2017 has case sent to Court of Appeal

THE CRIMINAL CASES REVIEW COMMISSION has referred a man’s convictions for child sexual offences to the Court of Appeal because new information undermines the credibility and reliability of the complainant’s account.

The man, referred to as Mr HS, was convicted in 2017 at Swansea Crown Court of four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, four counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of attempted rape of a child under 13.

He was sentenced to an extended sentence of 16 years, comprising 15 years’ imprisonment with an extended licence period of one year.

There was a single complainant who alleged the offences occurred when she was in Mr HS’ company between 2005 and 2010. The complainant was aged five to 11 at the time of the alleged offences, and she disclosed the offences at the age of 15.

The prosecution case relied on evidence from the complainant and from those to whom she had made her disclosures. Mr HS gave evidence in his defence, denying any sexual activity with the complainant, but was convicted.

In March 2018, the Single Judge refused Mr HS permission to appeal against conviction and sentence. He did not renew his application to the Full Court. The CCRC received an application to review the conviction in February 2023.

During its review, the CCRC considered post-trial evidence that could significantly undermine the credibility and reliability of the complainant’s account.

The account given by the complainant at trial was the prosecution’s main evidence in this case. Consequently, the credibility and reliability of this account was, and remains, fundamental to the safety of Mr HS’ convictions.

The CCRC has found that based on this new evidence, there is a real possibility that the convictions will not be upheld and is referring them to the Court of Appeal.

Identities in the CCRC’s media release have been anonymised to protect the identity of the complainant.

The CCRC is an independent body set up under the Criminal Appeal Act 1995. It is responsible for independently reviewing suspected and alleged miscarriages of criminal justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If a case is referred, it is then for the appeal court to decide whether the conviction is unsafe.

The CCRC has anonymised the defendant in this referral.

Crime

Man who assaulted woman remanded after failing to attend court

Published

3 days ago

April 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A 50-YEAR-OLD man of no fixed abode has been remanded in custody after admitting failing to surrender to court bail.

Michael Sudbury, whose address was listed as no fixed abode, Llangunnor Road, Llangunnor, Carmarthen, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 23) following the execution of a bench warrant.

Sudbury admitted failing without reasonable cause to surrender to custody at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 20), having previously been released on bail at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on March 30.

The court also dealt with a common assault matter. Sudbury had denied assaulting the female in Haverfordwest on October 22, 2025, but was found guilty on Monday (Apr 20).

Magistrates Mr S Weatherall, Mr C Rees and Mr J Ross committed Sudbury to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody on the basis that inquiries are needed and to determine the most suitable way of dealing with the case. The court recorded bail exceptions including a likelihood of further offending and a risk of causing injury or fear of injury to an associated person.

A pre-sentence report was ordered and a victim personal statement is expected to be presented to the court.

Sudbury will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday, May 7, at 9:00am.

Crime

Hakin resident fined £1,330 over repeated noise and intimidation breaches

Published

3 days ago

April 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAKIN resident has been ordered to pay £1,330 after repeatedly breaching a community protection notice over loud music, shouting and intimidation.

Tania Evans, aged 47, of James Street, Hakin, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Apr 23), where guilty pleas were entered to six offences.

The court heard that Evans had been issued with a community protection notice requiring behaviour at the property not to have an unreasonable and detrimental effect on people living nearby.

However, the notice was breached on six separate dates: October 28, December 3, December 9, December 23, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.

The breaches involved excessive and persistent loud music, abusive or excessive shouting, and the use of intimidation by Evans or visitors to the property.

One of the later breaches stated that Evans failed to ensure that people at the property did not act in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress through amplified music, shouting or intimidation in the local area.

Magistrates fined Evans £162 for each of the first three offences. No separate penalty was imposed for the remaining three matters, but the guilty pleas were taken into account.

Evans was also ordered to pay a £194 victim surcharge and £650 costs, bringing the total to £1,330.

A collection order was made, with the court noting that deductions from benefits could be used if necessary.