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Simpson Cross: Former cop on trial for historical child sex abuse

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Motorcycle enthusiast: John Caffrey pictured at around the time of the alleged offences

Motorcycle enthusiast: John Caffrey pictured at around the time of the alleged offences

A FORMER Dyfed-Powys police officer and one-time top racing motorcyclist has gone on trial today accused of historical child sex abuse.

John Brian Caffrey, aged 71, denies multiple charges of sexual assault dating back to 1978.

Robin Rouch, prosecuting, told a jury at Swansea Crown Court that Caffrey took indecent photographs of the girl and went on to touch her sexually.

On one occasion, he said, he ordered her to strip naked and then tied her to a door and took pictures of her.

On another he helped her to paint her naked body green.

Mr Rouch said the photographs could not be found and could not be presented to the jury.

However, there was evidence that the girl had made a formal complaint to police about 30 years ago. At the time Caffrey was a serving police officer based in Haverfordwest and she felt that the complaint “was brushed under the carpet and she was made to sign a false statement.”

And during her adult life the alleged victim, now a woman, had confided in at least two people about what she said Caffrey had done to her so many years before.

Eventually, added Mr Rouch, she finally made contact with the Independent Police Complaints Commission who triggered an investigation and Caffrey was arrested.

During police interviews, Caffrey, of Castle View, Simpson Cross said he had never touched her indecently and any photographs he may have taken had not been of a sexual nature.

The trial continues.

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Crime

Rosemarket man avoids jail after breaching court order and stalking victim

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A ROSEMARKET man has avoided a prison sentence after repeatedly breaching a court-imposed non-molestation order and stalking one of the protected individuals.

PHILLIP SOLOMON, 35, of West Street, Rosemarket, contacted two women between March 28 and May 17, 2025, despite an order made by Haverfordwest Family Court forbidding both direct and indirect contact.

He appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he admitted two charges of breaching the non-molestation order, as well as a further charge of stalking one of the women during the same period, causing her fear, alarm and distress.

“He sent a birthday card and a present, and made numerous telephone calls, text messages and gestures,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court. “This caused her serious concern.”

A victim impact statement read in court described the profound effect Solomon’s behaviour had on the woman’s life.

“Every aspect of my life has changed as a result of the last few months,” she said. “I feel anxious about day-to-day aspects like leaving my house, fearing he may be there. I’m constantly checking mirrors and my surroundings. Days out that should be enjoyable have become difficult.”

She said she had changed both her work and social routines due to fears she was being followed.

Defending Solomon, solicitor Alaw Harries said her client had not fully appreciated that sending a birthday card would breach the terms of the order.

“He understands the impact and he’s extremely sorry to be here today,” she said. “There are clearly issues that need to be addressed and he is keen to work with probation to deal with these.”

Magistrates imposed an 18-month community order, requiring Solomon to complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days and 100 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay a £114 court surcharge and £170 in prosecution costs.

A two-year restraining order was imposed, banning Solomon from contacting either victim directly or indirectly, except through a solicitor or social services. He is also prohibited from entering their addresses or storing any data about them on any electronic device.

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Crime

Driver banned after swerving car led to public calls to police

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CALLS from concerned members of the public about a car being erratically driven through Neyland led to a drink-driving ban for a Llanstadwell man who was found to be more than three times over the legal limit.

Mervyn Jenkins, aged 47, was arrested at around 8:00pm on May 23 after police stopped his vehicle on Church Road, Llanstadwell.

“The officers had followed the vehicle and seen it swerving across the carriageway and shuddering, as if it had sustained significant damage,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

When Jenkins exited the vehicle, he was unsteady on his feet. A breath test conducted at the police station showed he had 114 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35.

In a probation interview, Jenkins told officer Catrin Jones he had consumed approximately ten pints of lager at a pub in Milford Haven before making the reckless decision to drive home.

“The event is all a bit hazy to him and he doesn’t know why he chose to get behind the wheel,” said Ms Jones.

“He described his behaviour as stupid and realises the risk he posed to others. The only fortunate thing is that nobody was hurt.”

The court heard that Jenkins, who works for a local steel fabrication company, regularly drinks up to twelve pints on Friday and Saturday nights while visiting local pubs.

“He drinks to excess but now acknowledges he needs support to reduce his intake,” added Ms Jones.

Jenkins, of Hazelbank, Llanstadwell, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and chose to represent himself in court.

“I’m ashamed of myself,” he said in mitigation.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for 28 months and imposed a 12-month community order, requiring him to complete ten rehabilitation activity days and engage with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service. He must also complete a 90-day alcohol abstinence monitoring programme.

He was ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

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Crime

Dog mess excuse nearly lands man in jail

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A PEMBROKESHIRE man awaiting sentence for drug offences came close to being remanded in custody after breaking his bail conditions—allegedly in an effort to clear up dog mess from a shared lawn.

John Phillips, 36, of Pen Puffin, Steynton, previously pleaded guilty to possessing drugs with intent to supply and was awaiting sentencing at Crown Court on June 27. He had been placed on strict bail conditions, including a nightly curfew.

However, on June 10, Phillips breached the curfew on ten separate occasions. Despite the number of incidents, the total time he spent outside his property amounted to just over 18 minutes.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that the breaches stemmed from a domestic mishap.

“His dog escaped from the house and did what dogs do on the lawn that he shares with his neighbour,” said defence solicitor Michael Kelleher. “So the defendant had to go out, get the dog, and collect what had happened, as he didn’t want his neighbour to walk in the mess.”

Mr Kelleher added that Phillips made several attempts to contact the electronic tagging company to explain the curfew breaches, but received no response.

Phillips appeared before magistrates in custody on June 17 and admitted breaching his bail conditions. After hearing the mitigation, magistrates allowed him to be released on the same conditions.

“But if you come here again, it might be a different outcome,” warned the presiding magistrate.

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