News

Pembroke: Man jailed for 21 years after filming sexual assault on three-year-old

Published

7 years ago

October 2, 2017

A SEX beast who filmed himself sexually assaulting a three-year old-girl has been jailed for 21 years today (Oct 2).

Trevor Vinson, aged 38, shot the footage on a mobile telephone which he hid inside the bag of a vacuum cleaner as police knocked on his front door.

But his horrified partner found the phone and handed it over to the police.

Vinson, formerly of Tumble but now of Valence Walk, Pembroke, admitted six offences of sexual assault and three of making child pornography.

Catherine Richards, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court that the girl – no relation to Vinson – had complained to her parents about Vinson touching her.

Trevor Vinson: A car enthusiast

Her father confronted Vinson but he talked his way out of it.

But she complained to her grandmother and the police were contacted.

Miss Richards said Vinson continued to deny doing anything wrong. On being shown the mobile telephone pictures he first denied that the phone belonged to him and then said someone else must have carried out the assaults and done the filming.

But, she added, police were able to prove that he was responsible.

Vinson sat with his head bowed and staring at the floor for the duration of the hearing.

Judge Keith Thomas ruled that Vinson was a dangerous offender as defined by law and would be a risk to young people after his eventual release from prison.

Judge Thomas issued a sexual harm prevention order restricting Vinson’s access to young people in the future.

He said he did not accept that Vinson had any real understanding of the harm he had caused.

Vinson was jailed for 15 years, with an extended licence period of six years.

Judge Thomas told him he would serve a minimum of 10 years behind bars but would be liable to recall to prison until 2038.

The parents of the three-year-old victim said: “As a family we have been rocked to the core, our world has crumbled around us. It has impacted every aspect of us physically and mentally, leading us to second guess every decision we have ever made in regards to our own parenting.

“The whole family group has been left traumatised, we never thought it would happen to our family, it’s something you hear about in the papers but never believe it will be at your own doorstep. We would never have knowingly put our children in danger and will never forgive the deceit and breach of trust that has led to this.

“Dyfed-Powys Police has been phenomenal from the beginning and we would like to personally thank the individual officers who worked with us (Paula and Carrie) and the officers behind the scenes.

“Our advice to all parents is to trust your gut instinct as without that and the bravery shown by our child, this vile person may have still been perpetrating to this day. Please don’t be afraid to speak to the police if you think your child has come into contact with this person, trust in your instincts. No family should ever have to go through this much heartache at the hands of one individual.”

DI Elaine Bendle said: “I am pleased that Vinson has today been sentenced and is no longer able to cause harm to the young victim or anyone else. This is a highly unusual case with evidence being obtained from such a young victim.

“The crimes he committed against this child were abhorrent and I must commend the detectives, digital crime investigators, police officers and staff who worked tirelessly to bring Vinson to justice.

“We would obviously wish for such offences never to occur in our communities and we work closely with colleagues in partner agencies to safeguard vulnerable people, but very sadly abuse still does happen.

“I hope there can be some reassurance felt within our communities that when such crimes are committed, we have dedicated, specially trained officers here prepared to work hard to ensure outcomes like today’s sentencing.

“Goleudy, a service for victims and witnesses, is providing support to the victim and her family to help them come to terms with what has happened.

“I hope anyone else who has experienced similar abuse at any stage of their life can find courage from this case to see that all reports will be taken seriously by Dyfed-Powys Police and fully investigated.”

Business

UK government commits £3.27m to mental health support in Port Talbot

Published

6 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Funding aimed at helping steelworkers stay in or return to work

MORE than £3 million is being invested by the UK Government and Neath Port Talbot Council to boost mental health services for Tata Steel workers, their families and the wider Port Talbot community.

The £3.27 million package, announced by Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens on Wednesday (March 27), forms part of the Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board’s wider £80 million support fund. Over £50 million has already been allocated to help steelworkers and supply chain businesses as the company moves to greener steelmaking.

The new funding will focus on mental health and wellbeing – an area identified as crucial for helping those affected by the transition to secure and sustain employment.

Services set to benefit include:

Recruitment of additional counsellors to support affected workers
Grants and resources for existing mental health provision
Expansion of peer and community support networks such as Men’s Sheds and She Sheds
Support in schools for children impacted by changes at Tata Steel
Specialist advice on welfare and debt for affected families
Suicide prevention and awareness training for council and trade union support staff

The funding is flexible and could be increased depending on demand.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:
“The past 18 months have been incredibly difficult for the steelworkers of Port Talbot, their families and the wider community. We said we would back them in whatever ways were needed.
“We are helping people learn new skills, but we also need to help protect people’s mental health. Well-being is crucial to getting back into work and staying in work.
“By boosting direct support services, we are investing in the people of the area and supporting growth in the local economy.”

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans MS added:
“Working alongside our Transition Board partners, we will continue to ensure the right assistance is in place for those impacted, as well as providing opportunities for growth, investment and employment wherever they arise.”

Neath Port Talbot Council Leader Cllr Steve Hunt welcomed the funding, saying:
“We know the impact of change at the steelworks is being felt deeply across the area, particularly in Port Talbot where most households are affected in some way.
“This is a vital addition to the support already being delivered as we adapt to the future of steelmaking and prepare for the new opportunities brought by developments like the Celtic Freeport.”

Martyn Wagstaff, a local mental health advisor, said:
“It’s really important that anyone struggling with their mental health asks for help.
“This funding means that people in Neath Port Talbot will be able to access more support when they need it.”

The Transition Board will announce further funding for regeneration and job creation projects in the coming months, with tens of millions of pounds still to be allocated.

Community

Final closures begin as long-awaited A40 bypass nears completion

Published

8 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ROAD DUE TO OPEN WEEK COMMENCING APRIL 28

THE MAJOR A40 improvement scheme in Pembrokeshire is entering its final stages, with the Welsh Government confirming the new road will open in the week beginning April 28.

Construction of the long-anticipated bypass around Llanddewi Velfrey began in summer 2021. Once completed, the new dual carriageway will remove all temporary traffic management, including bollards and reduced speed limits. The entire stretch will carry a 60mph speed limit.

Wales transport secretary Ken Skates, responding to a written question from Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MS Samuel Kurtz, confirmed the road is on schedule.

He said: “Section 1 of the A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Redstone Cross Improvements Scheme is programmed for completion week commencing 28th April 2025. Section 2, the detrunking works through Llanddewi Velfrey village, will commence thereafter.”

The scheme is being delivered on behalf of the Welsh Government by Alun Griffiths Contractors Ltd. Although the final cost has yet to be announced, the project was originally estimated at £60 million, including £45 million from EU funding.

In preparation for the opening, the final three weekend road closures are now underway. The first closure began last weekend (March 21-24), with the remaining two scheduled for this weekend (March 28-31) and the following weekend (April 4-7).

The closures affect the section between Penblewin roundabout and Robeston Wathen roundabout, allowing the new A40 to be connected to the existing route at a location known as Jacobs Park.

All closures begin at 7:00pm on Friday and end by 6:00am on Monday morning.

Scheme spokesperson Matthew Davies said: “Due to the significant level differences between the new A40 and the existing road, the principal contractor requires three weekend closures.

“To ensure minimal disruption to local communities, commuters, and the economy, the work has been timed to finish before the Easter holiday.”

Emergency services have been fully briefed and will use carefully planned diversion routes to minimise the impact on North Pembrokeshire. Access to homes and businesses along the affected stretch of road will be maintained throughout the closures.

Mr Davies added: “Preparation work is already underway to reduce the closure duration, and all parties, including the local health board, are prepared for the temporary measures.”

Crime

Majority of stolen sheep recovered after public appeal

Published

8 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE says it has recovered 63 of the 75 sheep reported stolen from a farm in Rhydlewis, near Newcastle Emlyn, following a public appeal for information earlier this week.

The ewes were located at three separate sites within the Dyfed-Powys Police area over the past four days.

Inspector Matthew Howells said: “I would like to thank everyone who shared our appeal, and the appeal from the owner, which was shared over 700 times and reached communities all over Wales and further afield. The support from farming communities near and afar has been vitally important in securing a positive outcome. I’d also like to thank those who came forward with information which enabled my officers to respond quickly, ensuring the safe return of these animals to their rightful owner.”

A 40-year-old man who was previously arrested on suspicion of theft has been released on bail while police enquiries continue.