News

St Dogmaels: Author will be jailed for 1980’s sex attack on 6 year old girl

Published

10 years ago

April 10, 2015

AUTHOR from St Dogmaels has been told today he will go to jail after a jury convicted him of sexually assaulting a six year old girl.

Colin Richard Shearing, aged 70, was told he could have a week to put his affairs in order but that he would receive an immediate jail sentence next Friday (April 17).

Shearing, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and once an active member of Theatre Mwldan, Cardigan, twice assaulted the girl in 1980.

He denied the charges but was convicted unanimously of gross indecency with a child and inciting a child to commit gross indecency.

The woman told the jury he examined her private parts and persuaded her to touch him indecently.

She said the memories of what had happened came back to her many years later. She was driven to complain, she said, when she discovered Shearing had become involved with a youth theatre and was afraid he would have access to children.

She added that although she did not have any proof she was sure she was not his only victim.

Shearing, who now lives at 2 New Cottages, Taylors Lane, Bosham near Chichester, claimed the incidents had never taken place and said he could not understand why the woman had made the allegations against him.

He agreed that amongst his books there was a passage dealing with children having sex together.

But, he stressed, it was a work of pure fiction.

After the verdicts Judge Huw Davies refused to instruct a probation officer to prepare a pre-sentence report because it would not affect the outcome.

He would be failing in his duty, he added, if he did not send Shearing to jail.

But he understood Shearing had a young family who were unaware of the court case and he should be given the chance to explain what was about to happen to him.

Shearing was ordered to register with the police as a sex offender immediately.

Crime

Haverfordwest bank clerk accused of theft and fraud

Published

3 hours ago

March 15, 2025

Court Reporter

A HAVERFORDWEST bank clerk has appeared in court accused of stealing a customer’s bank card and committing fraud by abuse of position.

Mary Roberts, 47, of Coronation Avenue, Haverfordwest, is charged with stealing a bank card belonging to Keith France on November 22, 2023.

She is also accused of dishonestly abusing her position while working as a bank clerk, intending to cause financial loss while in a role where she was expected to safeguard her customer’s interests.

Roberts appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (March 11), where she entered not guilty pleas to both charges.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to Swansea Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing next month.

The offences are alleged to be contrary to the Theft Act 1968 and the Fraud Act 2006. If convicted, Roberts faces a maximum penalty of 12 months’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

Business

Cardigan shop wins St David’s Day competition

Published

3 hours ago

March 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CARDIGAN Curiosities has won the St David’s Day shop window award for the Cardigan division, an accolade presented by Menter Iaith Ceredigion.

High Street businesses and Guildhall shops embraced the festivities, decorating their windows in a vibrant display to celebrate the national day of Wales and the arrival of spring. The event, which highlighted the Welsh language, saw enthusiastic participation from across Ceredigion.

To mark the occasion and show appreciation for the community, Cardigan Curiosities is offering the chance to win an exclusive piece of local artwork. The prize is a one-of-a-kind watercolour painting of the nave of St David’s Cathedral, created by a Pembrokeshire artist. The framed artwork measures 74×95 cm.

To enter the competition, participants must:

Visit the Cardigan Curiosities Facebook or Instagram page
Like the competition post
Comment with their favourite Welsh word

The winner will be drawn on March 20 by “Ddraig Goch” from inside a dragon egg, with the announcement made that evening on social media.

For those interested in viewing the artwork or the decorated shop window, Cardigan Curiosities is located at 32A Cardigan High Street and is open Thursday to Sunday, from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

Community

Haverfordwest fire station hosts community engagement event

Published

3 hours ago

March 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST FIRE STATION welcomed County Councillor Thomas Tudor for a community engagement event alongside Emyr and Amy from Gwasanaeth Tân ac Achub CGC / Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

The event focused on the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) 2040, a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing public safety across Mid and West Wales. The fire service is encouraging residents to take an active role in shaping the plan by providing feedback through an online survey.

Councillor Tudor praised the initiative, highlighting the importance of community involvement in developing a safer and more resilient region.

Residents can participate in the consultation by visiting: www.mawwfire.gov.uk.