News

Nine years for robber who left victim like ‘Elephant Man’

Published

8 years ago

April 3, 2018

A MONKTON man “mercilessly” attacked his victim until he looked like the Elephant Man, a judge heard on Tuesday (Apr 3).

Daniel Watts, aged 22, burst into the home of Kevin Blackburn and repeatedly punched him, kicked him and stamped on his head while he was on the floor.

Then he rifled through his pockets and stole his benefits money.

Watts, of Colley Court, admitted robbery and was jailed for nine years.

Graham Watson, aged 46, of Howells Close, Monkton, admitted burgling Mr Blackburn’s home and stealing prescribed drugs. He was jailed for 18 months.

Kane Watson, 18, of Commercial Row, Pembroke Dock, denied robbery. His plea was accepted by the prosecution and he was released.

Carina Hughes, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court how Watts and Graham Watson went to Mr Blackburn’s home at 5am on November 22 last year.

Mr Blackburn let in Mr Watson but Watts was hiding behind him and also got inside.

“He would not have opened the door if he had known that Watts was there,” said Miss Hughes.

Watts immediately punched him to the floor and stamped on his face until he lost consciousness. Mr Blackburn said later he thought he was going to die.

Meanwhile, Watson went through Mr Blackburn’s flat looking for drugs.

Miss Hughes said it was accepted that Watson had not taken part in the violence but he must have left the property knowing there was “a half dead” man lying on the floor.

Mr Blackburn managed to crawl out of his flat and neighbours called for an ambulance.

Watts was arrested later the same day and at first denied being at the flat.

Miss Hughes said six days after the attack Watts telephoned a friend and bragged about what he had done, boasting he had left Mr Blackburn looking like the Elephant Man.

The court heard that Watts had been homeless at the time and taking drugs on a daily basis.

Jugge Geraint Walters said he noted that Watts had been on licence from prison for an earlier burglary.

“It is hard to imagine a more frenzied attack.

“Having looked at the photographs of Mr Blackburn’s injuries Elephant Man was a fairly accurate description.

“People who look like that have usually been photographed on a mortuary table.”

Judge Walters said any half decent person would not have left Mr Blackburn for dead, as Watson had done.

Dyfed-Powys Police Detective Constable Chris Hickey said: “Following excellent initial work with the victim, and continued support through some very difficult times, this investigation has resulted in a very positive result.

“At court, the judge commented that it was ‘hard to imagine a more frenzied attack’ and that ‘it was more luck than judgement’ that the victim was not more seriously injured. He had given serious consideration to classifying Watts as a dangerous person.

“From start to finish this was a professional investigation that really highlights the positive effect that good victim and witness support can produce.

“We will not tolerate violent crime in our communities, and having Daniel Watts off the streets of Pembrokeshire for a number of years is a marvellous result.”

Watts and Watson were arrested within hours of the report being made to police.

News

Search under way in Pembroke Dock for missing man Lee

Published

8 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Coastguard, RNLI and rescue helicopter launched as fears grow he entered the water

A MAJOR search and rescue operation is under way tonight (Sunday) in the Pembroke Dock and Pennar areas as emergency services look for 48-year-old Lee, who has been reported missing and is feared to have entered the water near the Pennar estuary.

Dyfed-Powys Police issued an urgent appeal earlier today after Lee, who is from Cardigan, failed to return home. He was last seen at around 5:00pm on Saturday (December 13) on CCTV in Pembroke Dock. The image shows him travelling on foot and carrying bags.

Lee is described as 5ft 10in tall, of medium build, with short light-brown hair and short facial hair. At the time he was wearing a blue/grey Christmas jumper, a red hat, dark trousers and light trainers. Police say he is also known to travel by train.

Concerns escalated this afternoon after officers received information suggesting Lee may have entered the water around the Pennar estuary.

HM Coastguard teams and the RNLI lifeboat from Angle have been searching the shoreline and waterway since mid-afternoon. A rescue helicopter from Cornwall (operating out of RAF St Mawgan/Cornwall Airport) is now assisting with aerial searches. The operation is ongoing in increasingly challenging conditions.

Search crews are dealing with cold, wet and windy weather, with conditions expected to worsen significantly overnight. An amber Met Office warning for heavy rain comes into force at 4:00am on Monday (15 December), with forecasters warning of fast-flowing floodwater and hazardous visibility across Pembrokeshire.

Police are urging anyone who may have seen Lee, or who has information that could help the search, to make contact immediately by calling phoning: 101. Quote reference: DP-20251214-176

News

Search under way in Pembroke as man reported missing

Published

28 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Rescue teams battle worsening weather ahead of amber rain warning

A MULTI-AGENCY search and rescue operation is under way in the Pembroke area amid deteriorating weather conditions, after concerns were raised for the welfare of a man who is now considered missing.

HM Coastguard and the RNLI lifeboat are on scene, and a rescue helicopter from Cornwall — operating out of RAF St Mawgan/Cornwall Airport — has arrived to support the search, which is continuing in cold, wet and windy conditions.

The operation comes as an amber weather warning for heavy rain is due to take effect from 4:00am on Monday, December 15, with forecasters warning of hazardous conditions across Pembrokeshire.

News

Amber weather warning as ‘danger to life’ rain set to hit Pembrokeshire

Published

4 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Dyfed-Powys Police and council teams prepare as Monday deluge expected

COMMUNITIES across Pembrokeshire are being urged to brace for severe weather after the Met Office issued an amber “danger to life” warning for heavy rain, covering the county from 4:00am to 9:00pm on Monday (Dec 15).

Up to 80mm of rain is expected widely, with 100mm possible on higher ground in north Pembrokeshire and the Preseli foothills. With rivers already running high following weeks of persistent wet weather, Natural Resources Wales says there is a heightened risk of flooding in low-lying areas, including parts of Haverfordwest, Remington Bridge, Merlin’s Bridge, Tenby, Neyland and along the Western Cleddau.

Travel disruption likely

The Met Office warns that fast-flowing or deep floodwater could pose a danger to life, with road flooding likely on key Pembrokeshire routes such as the A40, A487 and A478. Bus and rail services may face disruption.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers would be monitoring known flood hotspots throughout Monday and urged drivers to avoid non-essential travel during the worst of the downpours.

A police spokesperson said: “Please plan ahead. Do not risk driving through floodwater. Conditions may change very quickly.”

Yellow warnings already in place

A yellow rain warning is active for southwest Wales from midnight tonight (Sun 14 Dec). A separate yellow warning for mid and north Wales began this afternoon.

Pembrokeshire County Council said its highways and emergency planning teams are on standby, with extra staff monitoring river gauges and drainage across the county. Sandbags are available where required.

Residents urged to prepare

Natural Resources Wales is advising residents in flood-prone areas to take precautions today, including:

Checking local flood alerts
Moving valuables upstairs where possible
Securing outdoor items against strong winds
Checking on vulnerable neighbours

The Herald understands that emergency services expect the heaviest rainfall between 6:00am and 3:00pm on Monday, with further unsettled weather forecast later in the week.

More updates to follow

This is a developing story. The Pembrokeshire Herald will bring live updates as information comes in from the Met Office, NRW, PCC and emergency services.