Ex-councillor jailed for obscene text messages

Published

9 years ago

August 24, 2016

Caged: Former town councillor Stephen Evans

A FORMER member of Haverfordwest town council has been jailed this week for sending obscene text messages to a 15 year old girl.

Stephen David Evans, aged 57, who won a by-election in 2010, admitted sending her a string of messages but without revealing his identity.

But she researched his telephone number and the police were called in.

Two of the messages were sent before her 16^th birthday and Evans admitted two offences of inciting a child to engage in sexual activities.

Evans, of Slade Park, off Slade Lane, was jailed on Wednesday (Aug 24) for 16 months.

Robin Rouch, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court how the girl was shocked to receive a text message at 7.22am on September 6, 2014, in which Evans said, bluntly, that he wanted to shag her.

The following day she received another message from Evans in which he wrote that he was masturbating and thinking about having oral sex with her.

“Further messages followed, including one suggesting that they meet up, but she had no idea who they were from,” added Mr Rouch.

Mr Rouch said the messages continued until the following May, but by then she had reached 16 and they did not constitute offences.

After Evans had been traced and arrested experts examined his computer and found that he had been researching the girl on the internet.

Mr Rouch said the messages had upset the victim so much that she failed to achieve the examination grades that she had expected.

Jim Davis, representing Evans, said he had been a voluntary worker and a well known soccer referee as well as a councillor and had suffered extreme shame and embarrassment.

At the time, he added, his wife had been seriously ill and he had been abusing alcohol.

“He accepts that they were horrible messages and wants to apologise to her,” added Mr Davis.

Judge Peter Heywood said he would be failing in his public duty if he did not send Evans to jail immediately.

“You blighted her life in what was an important school year,” he added.

Evans was also ordered to register with the police as a sex offender for 10 years and on his release from prison will be banned from working with children.

Judge Heywood also issued a retraining order banning Evans from contacting the girl “to give her peace of mind.”

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

4 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

4 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

4 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.