News

Police officer thought about suicide on ‘daily basis’ after false rape allegation

Published

7 years ago

October 16, 2017

A WOMAN who made a false allegation of rape against a serving Dyfed-Powys Police officer has been jailed for 27 months.

PC Paul Morgan thought about committing suicide ‘on a daily basis’ after he was arrested and suspended following a false complaint by Samantha Murray-Evans.

PC Morgan was under suspicion for five weeks before fellow officers were able to prove that she had been lying.

Murray-Evans, aged 44, of Birchgrove, Swansea, admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Catherine Richards, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court the pair had met online in October, 2014.

In her complaint to police she said she had agreed to go to his house because he was a police officer and she felt safe.

She said that as soon as she arrived PC Morgan began to kiss her and pushed her onto a sofa despite her making it clear she did not want to have sex.

Then, she claimed, he raped her.

The following day, she said, she realised she had lost a ring at his home and went back. But he said he couldn’t find it and she left.

PC Morgan was arrested, kept in a police cell over night and suspended from duty.

Miss Richards said officers investigating the complaint discovered that in the days following Murray-Evans had sent PC Morgan a series of Whats App messages, one describing the sex as the best she had ever had and telling him that it had made her toes curl.

In another she attached a photograph of one of breasts naked.

Miss Richards said that PC Morgan told police that sex had been consensual and that she had initiated it, and that she had asked for more sex after visiting him to retrieve the lost ring.

PC Morgan, who has a bravery award for pulling a suicidal woman out of the River Tawe, was told, five weeks after being arrested, that the complaint would not be pursued.

But he suffered long term harm and was allowed to read a statement to the court.

PC Morgan said the false allegation had devastated his life and that he had considered suicide daily. In fact, the thought that ‘suicide was a way out was all that kept me going’.

He said he had had to put up with walking through Llanelli and hearing people accusing him of being a rapist.

He now suffered from depression and anxiety and was off work sick.

Jim Davis, representing Murray-Evans, said she still maintained that she had been raped but wanted to admit the charge.

The court heard that Murray-Evans had a conviction for molesting a former partner by making contact despite a court order not to.

Judge Paul Thomas told Murray-Evans it was difficult to think of a more wicked lie to tell, especially about a police officer.

Judge Thomas said he was convinced that Murray-Evans had wanted a relationship and had devised a ‘vicious and sinister’ way of getting her own back after PC Morgan rejected her.

The lie, he added, had been planned and calculated and she had been callous and persistent during an 80 minute police interview.

“The worrying fact is that if you had not sent those WhatsApp messages to him it would have been your word against his with an unpredictable outcome.

“You knew it would have a devastating effect on him and I believe that the fact that he was a police officer was in your thoughts.

“He suffered five weeks of torment and even contemplated suicide. The consequences remain with him three years later.”

Judge Thomas said the damage went further–false complaints helped to undermine the credibility of genuine rape victims.

And he noted that Murray-Evans had not shown a trace of remorse.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

13 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

20 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

21 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.