News
Police urge victims of sextortion and online blackmail to report crimes
DYFED-POWYS POLICE is urging victims of sextortion and online blackmail to feel empowered to come forward and report incidents without feeling embarrassed.
The force has recorded seven reports of blackmail over the past three weeks, with victims being threatened that intimate photos or videos will be shared online unless they pay in cash or Bitcoin.
In some of these cases, victims have been contacted by strangers on social media and have been asked to share intimate photos or videos of themselves. They have then received threats that these images will be posted on social media unless they pay a certain amount of money to the blackmailer.
One victim reported being asked to pay £6,000 after initially being contacted through Instagram.
In other instances, victims have received emails from unknown people who claim to have sexual photos or videos of them. They threatened to share these with friends and family unless they are paid.
In light of recent reports, officers from Dyfed-Powys Police’s Digital Communications and Cyber Crime Unit have offered advice to anyone who receives similar threats online.
Detective Sergeant Rob Gravelle said: “The first thing we would urge is don’t panic, and don’t respond to blackmail threats. Report it to police immediately.
“Don’t communicate with the blackmailer further, but take screenshots of any chat history as evidence. Please also take a note of their user IDs, money transfer control numbers and any photos or video that were sent.
“If any photos or videos appear on a website or social media account, report these to the site as soon as you can. Ask for the images to be removed and for the perpetrator to be blocked.
“What is really important is for victims to feel empowered to report sextortion and blackmail without feeling ashamed or embarrassed. You are not alone, and it is very likely that other people will have been targeted by these criminals.
“Your call will be treated sensitively, and by reporting incidents you could help prevent other people from becoming victims.”
To report blackmail or sextortion to Dyfed-Powys Police call 101. If you are at immediate threat of harm, always call 999.
Community
Milford Haven Carnival organisers appeal for help from residents
MILFORD HAVEN ROUND TABLE is asking residents in Hakin and Hubberston to help keep roads clear ahead of this Saturday’s Carnival Procession.
Organisers say the event is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet, with a large number of floats, lorries and support vehicles expected to make their way through Hakin before the procession begins at Waterloo Square.
Residents living along Gelliswick Road, Rectory Avenue, Glebelands and Picton Road, particularly near the junction with Observatory Avenue, are being asked to avoid double parking or parking on pavements where possible between around 11.45am and 1.00pm.
The route being used by the floats and support vehicles is shown on the map.
Some of the vehicles involved are large, and organisers say keeping the roads as clear as possible for the short period will help ensure the procession reaches Waterloo Square safely and on time.
Milford Haven Round Table said the carnival “belongs to the whole community” and thanked residents for their continued support.
They added: “Your understanding and cooperation, even for this short time, will make a huge difference and help make this year’s Carnival another fantastic day for our town.”
Residents are also being encouraged to share the message with friends, family and neighbours who live along the affected roads.

Crime
New Year’s Day drug-driver banned after police stop in Milford Haven
A NEW YEAR’S EVE drive has resulted in a 12-month road ban after a motorist was found to be more than twice the legal cannabis limit.
Ridwan Rahman, 20, was stopped by police as he drove his Vauxhall Astra along Steynton Road, Milford Haven, on January 1.
“Police noted the car accelerating away from traffic lights in an erratic manner,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“When officers asked the vehicle to stop, they smelt cannabis coming from inside.”
A blood test later showed Rahman had 5.2mcg of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient in cannabis, in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.
Rahman, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to drug-driving. He was represented in court by solicitor Alaw Harries, who disputed the prosecution’s claim that he had been driving erratically.
“He does not accept that he was driving in an erratic manner, nor that he accelerated away from the traffic lights,” she said.
“The officers told him he had been stopped because the vehicle’s registration plate light was not working.”
Rahman, of Carbon Close, Newport, was fined £323 and ordered to pay a £129 court surcharge and £85 costs.
He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Crime
Fishguard man jailed after breaching order banning contact with mother
A FISHGUARD man has been jailed after breaching a restraining order which banned him from contacting his mother.
Steven O’Sullivan attended his mother’s home on June 22, despite the order having been imposed in November 2012. It prohibited him from having any direct or indirect contact with her.
“She felt she needed to phone the police because she was frightened of her son,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“He had been dropped off at his mother’s property by a female, and his mother went upstairs to ring the police because he makes her feel vulnerable.”
When officers arrived, they found O’Sullivan inside an outbuilding, crouching beside an outside toilet.
“There have been a number of previous breaches, the most recent being on June 5,” continued Ms Vaughan. “Now we have yet another one on June 22.”
O’Sullivan, of Gwelfor, Fishguard, is currently on remand at Swansea Prison. He is also accused of stealing beer and food worth £45 from the Nisa store in Haverfordwest on June 21.
Representing him in court, solicitor Tom Lloyd said there had been no threats of violence when O’Sullivan went to his mother’s home.
“But the aggravating factor is his previous convictions,” he told the bench.
“He was particularly upset and had nowhere else to go. This was why he went to see his mother.”
Magistrates jailed O’Sullivan for eight weeks. He was also ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.
He is due to return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on July 7 to enter a plea in relation to the alleged theft offence.
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