Crime

Taxi driver who raped woman after driving her home following a night out jailed

Published

1 month ago

February 20, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

A WEST WALES taxi driver who raped a woman after driving her home following a night out has been jailed.

Dominic Dalton, aged 30, of Pencader, has been jailed for nine years after being found guilty of rape.

The victim had been on a night out with a friend in Aberystwyth, when she got into a taxi driven by Dominic Dalton in the early hours of Sunday, February 25, 2024. The victim believed Dalton to be a trusted taxi driver who would safely get her home.

On the journey back, Dalton dropped her friend off first and then took the victim home. Swansea Crown Court heard how he claimed the taxi meter stopped working at this point, as the journey was never recorded past the friend’s address.

During the ride home the victim fell in and out of sleep. When they got to her address, Dalton woke her and helped her inside, guiding her up to her bedroom, where she fell back to sleep. She woke to find Dalton raping her.
To try and get him to leave, in desperation, she ran and grabbed a knife from her kitchen, screaming at him to leave her house.

After he refused to do so, the victim managed to flee the property barefoot, slashing the taxi’s tyres, as she left. She found solace at a nearby address and bravely contacted police to disclose what had happened.

Dalton left the property in his taxi and parked up nearby. He was picked up by another taxi driver after flagging them down, claiming he had had a blowout. He later drove back to the victim’s home address, returning her mobile phone after realising he had taken with him. Whilst there, he saw that police were already in the area. The court heard how he then made attempts to formulate his story and used his mobile phone to access websites with articles including ‘have you been falsely accused of rape?’ and ‘perverting the course of justice’, ‘wasting police time in cases involving allegedly false allegations of rape’.

He was arrested the same day and following a lengthy investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police, Dalton was charged with rape.

Appearing at Swansea Crown Court, he denied the offence, claiming the sex was consensual, but after a five-day trial, on January 17th, the jury took less than two hours to deliberate and unanimously found him guilty.

On Wednesday 18^th February, he was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Mathew Nelson, said: “I sincerely commend the victim’s bravery and resilience in coming forward to report the heinous crime of which she had been subjected to. Engaging with the Criminal Justice System as the victim has in this case takes an act of immense courage that deserves profound respect. By standing up and reporting Dalton, the victim has protected other members of the community too. I hope this conviction and sentencing brings some closure to the victim after experiencing such an horrific ordeal.

“As a taxi driver, Dalton’s job was to ensure that his passengers got home safely.
He abused that position that night, exploiting the victim’s vulnerability, and later went on to lie about his actions. The conviction and sentence passed serves to punish Dalton for his actions, but importantly also validate the victim’s voice.

“I hope the outcome will give confidence to other victims, in knowing their voices will be heard and listened to. I hope for the wider community, you will feel safe in the knowledge that a perpetrator such as Dalton has been dealt with robustly.”

Crime

Neyland man spared immediate jail over aggravated vehicle taking

Published

16 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant given a suspended prison sentence after magistrates heard the offence was serious enough to cross the custody threshold

KRISTIAN DAVIES, aged 35, of Rock Cottages, Neyland, pleaded guilty at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court to aggravated vehicle taking.

The court heard that on January 26, 2026, at Narberth, Davies took a Ford Focus without the consent of the owner or other lawful authority. The vehicle was damaged before it was recovered, with the damage assessed at less than £5,000.

Magistrates sentenced Davies on Tuesday (Mar 31) to 18 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

The bench said the offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified, citing Davies’ relevant previous convictions and the fact he was already subject to a court order at the time, which he is now in breach of.

However, the prison term was suspended because the court found there were real prospects of rehabilitation in the community.

Davies was also made subject to an 18-month supervision requirement, a non-residential drug rehabilitation requirement with reviews, and up to 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

As part of the order, he must engage with Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service and provide samples for a 12-month period.

He was also banned from driving for 24 months.

The first review hearing is due to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on April 27 at 10:00am. Bail conditions were cancelled as a matter of urgency.

Crime

Man arrested after police stop car on Pembroke Dock street

Published

2 days ago

April 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MAN was arrested after police stopped a car on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, on Saturday afternoon (Apr 4).

Witnesses said the incident happened at around 5:00pm outside Bargain Booze, when two police vehicles – one marked and one unmarked – pulled over a motorist.

According to one bystander, officers searched the boot of the vehicle and arrested the man straight afterwards.

The same witness said what was suspected to be Class A drugs were found, although that detail has not been confirmed by police.

The man was taken away in a police car, while an officer drove the suspect’s vehicle from the scene.

The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for comment.

Image: File photo

Crime

Six-year jail term a warning to drug dealers, says police

Published

3 days ago

April 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Detective says “robust approach” will continue as dealer caught after drugs hidden in car sale

A TOP detective has warned that a Milford Haven drug dealer’s six-year prison sentence should serve as a stark warning to others involved in the supply of illegal drugs.

Daniel Booth, aged 35, was jailed at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Mar 20) after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, as well as possession of cannabis.

The case came to light after a member of the public discovered drugs hidden inside a car they had purchased from Booth.

The buyer reported the find to police, triggering an investigation that led to Booth’s arrest on January 5.

Officers later uncovered further evidence linking him to the supply of Class A and Class B drugs.

Hidden drugs discovery

The discovery of drugs concealed within the vehicle proved to be a key breakthrough in the case.

Police said the incident highlighted both the risks to unsuspecting members of the public and the lengths some offenders will go to in order to conceal their activities.

Booth was subsequently charged and later admitted the offences in court.

‘Clear warning’ to others

Speaking after sentencing, DC Phillip Jones, of the Serious Organised Crime Unit in Pembrokeshire, said the case should send a strong message.

He said: “The supplying of drugs such as cannabis and cocaine in our communities has damaging consequences, and I hope that this result serves as a reminder of Dyfed-Powys Police’s commitment to remove them from our streets.

“Booth’s six-year sentence should serve as a warning to anyone involved in the supply of illegal drugs that we and our partners in the justice system will take a robust approach while bringing these types of offenders to justice.”

Ongoing crackdown

Dyfed-Powys Police say tackling drug supply remains a key priority across Pembrokeshire, with officers continuing to target those involved in organised criminal activity.