News

Father kept daughter locked away as sex prisoner [UPDATED]

Published

8 years ago

April 27, 2018

A 57-YEAR-OLD man from west Wales who raped his own daughters has been jailed for life today (Apr 27).

One of the girls was kept a prisoner in his home–and during her eight years never went to school, played outside, saw a cat or a dog or had a friend.

Judge Geraint Walters said at Swansea Crown Court she had been so deprived during her childhood she may never recover.

Her father, who lives west of Carmarthen, was jailed for life and told he would serve a minimum of 12 years behind bars before being allowed to apply for parole. But he will not be released until the parole board is satisfied he is no longer a danger to children. That, said Judge Walters, may never happen.

Robin Rouch, prosecuting, said the man raped his first daughter over a two year period and then separated from her mother.

He then spent time in Thailand but no-one knew what he had been doing there. On his return to west Wales he remarried and had a second daughter, who he also abused–this time with the help of his new wife.

She has been found guilty of child sex offences and will be sentenced at a later date.

The man’s offending was described by Judge Walters as “plunging to new depths of depravity”.

He managed to “home school” the younger girl but effectively kept her as a sex slave, said the judge: “not exactly locking her in a cellar- but not far from it.”

There were padlocks on all the doors and the curtains were always kept closed.

The girl was never allowed out and, consequently, had never played with friends, or gone swimming. She had never seen Christmas lights and had no concept of what a celebration was.

The effect on her was so profound, said Judge Walters, that she could not be left alone with other children for fear she would sexually abuse them.

“Sex is her only concept of love,” he added. “This was a campaign of rape and this wicked abuse will hit her harder as she grows older.”

He added: “You have ruined her life.”

The man admitted 25 offences of child sex abuse, including several rapes, and making indecent images of children.

He cannot be named to protect the identities of his daughters.

Dyfed-Powys Police said that they welcome the result following what has been a particularly difficult and sensitive investigation into the sexual abuse over a prolonged period for the young victims, who were naturally traumatised by the abuse they suffered.

Detective Inspector Phil Rowe said: “I am pleased with the sentence handed down today and that the offender is no longer able to cause harm to the young victims or anyone else. This was a protracted and challenging investigation with the main priority being the protection of the vulnerable victims.

“The crimes committed were abhorrent and I must commend the police officers and staff who worked tirelessly to bring them 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.

“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.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

3 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

4 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

4 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.