Crime

Eleven-year jail term for rape after judge finds victim ‘particularly vulnerable’

Published

3 months ago

February 23, 2026

A MAN from Newport has been jailed for eleven years after being convicted of raping a woman who was asleep and physically vulnerable.

Yogesh Parmar, aged 35, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Feb 23) following a trial in which jurors heard harrowing details of the abuse suffered by the victim.

Sentencing, Her Honour Judge Catherine Richards said the complainant had been “particularly vulnerable” at the time of the attack because of her small physical stature and the fact she was asleep when the rape occurred.

The court heard Parmar placed heavy gym weights against the bedroom door to prevent the woman from leaving the room.

In her personal statement, the victim said that when she told Parmar his behaviour was harming her, he responded by telling her to “get used to it”.

It was also heard that he dismissed her distress by describing her as “hormonal” when she reacted to his pattern of abuse. The victim told the court she regarded Parmar as “a predator”.

In mitigation, defence counsel argued the complainant had “woken to him effectively having intercourse”.

Alongside the eleven-year custodial sentence for rape, Parmar was handed a 20-year restraining order. He also received a two-year concurrent sentence on a separate count of controlling and coercive behaviour.

Judge Richards told the defendant the offences represented a grave breach of trust and had caused lasting harm to the victim.

Parmar will serve his sentence in custody before being subject to restrictions upon release.

Crime

Steynton motorist banned after drink-drive collision

Published

6 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Court Reporter

Driver was seen swerving through Milford Haven before hitting traffic barrier

A STEYNTON motorist has lost his licence after being caught driving through Milford Haven while over the drink-drive limit.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that at around 2:00am on Saturday (May 10), police received a call from ambulance staff who were concerned about the manner in which a white Kia was being driven in the Milford Haven area.

The vehicle had been seen swerving across the road.

Officers located the Kia as it entered Milford Haven and watched it turn right into Thornton Road, where it collided with a traffic barrier.

The driver identified himself as Jordan Wootton. As officers approached the vehicle, they could smell intoxicants. Wootton was also heard slurring his words, while an open bottle of alcohol was seen inside the vehicle.

Wootton, 28, of Conway Drive, Steynton, was arrested. Subsequent breath tests gave a lowest reading of 59mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

He pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Wootton was fined £430 and ordered to pay a £180 surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 16 months.

Crime

Dock man given suspended prison sentence for third drink-drive offence

Published

6 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Disqualified driver was nearly twice the legal limit after being seen driving erratically in Range Rover

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after committing his third drink-driving offence in six years.

Neil Edmundson, 51, was reported to police on May 7 after a motorist saw him driving an orange Range Rover “in an erratic manner” along Lamphey Lodge Lane.

“He was driving towards her at an excessive speed and was driving erratically,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Edmundson was then seen entering a local petrol station, where he was said to smell strongly of alcohol.

He was later stopped by police officers but refused to provide a roadside breath test. He was arrested and taken to a police station where he provided a breathalyser reading of 77mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

A police investigation established that Edmundson, of Laws Street, Pembroke Dock, had already been disqualified from driving following two previous drink-driving convictions in 2020 and 2024.

Appearing before magistrates this week, Edmundson pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving without third party insurance.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months, and disqualified from driving for five years.

Magistrates also ordered him to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He must pay a £154 surcharge and £85 court costs.

Crime

Bulldog left permanently blind after prolonged neglect

Published

6 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A BULLDOG was left permanently blind after suffering prolonged neglect by its owner, a court has heard.

George suffered substantial levels of suffering between July 12 and December 20, 2025, after his owner, Michael McGartland, failed to seek prompt veterinary treatment despite the animal’s significant decline.

McGartland, 70, of The Woodlands, Lower Level, Kilgetty, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

District Judge Mark Layton said the seriousness of the offence meant an all-options probation report would be required before sentence.

McGartland will be sentenced on June 23.

He was released on unconditional bail.