News

Haverfordwest: Man jailed for 18 years for child rape

Published

8 years ago

May 22, 2018

A FORMER postman in Haverfordwest who raped an eight-year-old girl has been jailed today (May 22) for 18 years.

Jeffrey Lias, aged 50, who lived at the time in Dark Street, was told he would not be released until the Parole Board were satisfied he would not re-offend.

Lias was sentenced today by Mr Recorder Chris Clee at Swansea Crown Court.

Ian Wright, prosecuting, summed up an impact statement by the victim.

She said her childhood had been ‘completely ruined’ by what Lias did to her.

“I have never been able to trust anyone, even now,” she wrote.

“I still have nightmares. I will never forget what he did to me.”

Before Mr Recorder Clee sentenced Lias Mr Wright told him that an entry had appeared on Lias’ Facebook page, possibly on the last day of his trial, which named the victim, despite a court order protecting her identity.

Ieuan Bennett, representing Lias, said he had not posted the entry but Mr Recorder Clee instructed Dyfed-Powys Police to investigate the matter.

“This is potentially very serious. I want the police to investigate who posted the entry and we will see what happens,” he added.

Lias, who now lives in Oak Street, Preston, Lancashire, had denied rape, indecent assault and indecency with a child but was found guilty of all the charges after a trial before a jury.

Mr Recorder Clee described his offending as dreadful.

“You keep on shaking your head but I have to sentence you according to the verdicts of the jury.

“This was a campaign. I have no hesitation in placing your offending into a high category for the purpose of sentencing,” he added.

Lias will be on licence after his eventual release until 2037 and must register with the police as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Mr Recorder Clee also issued an order preventing Lias from contacting the victim.

Crime

Rape trial set for May as Saundersfoot teenager denies charge

Published

2 hours ago

January 19, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

AN 18-YEAR OLD youth accused of rape in Saundersfoot has pleaded not guilty and is due to stand trial at Swansea Crown Court in May.

Josh Probert, aged eighteen, appeared before Judge Geraint Walters on Monday (Jan 19) for a pre-trial preparation hearing.

The court heard the case is progressing under the custody time limit, meaning it is being managed to a strict timetable while the defendant remains in custody.

Mr Probert entered not guilty pleas. The hearing dealt with case management issues and set dates for pre-trial stages leading up to the trial.

A four-day trial is listed to begin on Tuesday (May 26), with a certificate of trial readiness due on Tuesday (Apr 28).

In relation to bail His Honour said that these were serious allegations and that the defendant would remain in custody, despite his age and being of clean character hitherto.

Ministry of Defence

‘Houses shake’ as C-17 Globemaster tracked flying low over Haverfordwest

Published

3 hours ago

January 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

RAF heavy transport aircraft JDW828 carried out training sortie over Pembrokeshire and the south-west

Residents in Haverfordwest reported a large military aircraft flying low over the town at around 11:00am on Monday (Jan 19).

Flight tracking information identified the aircraft as JDW828, a Royal Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, operating from RAF Brize Norton.

The recorded track showed the aircraft conducting a wide training circuit across the south-west, including repeated manoeuvres over parts of Pembrokeshire and Cornwall, before routing back east.

The C-17 is a heavy-lift transport used by the RAF to move troops, equipment and humanitarian aid, and is regularly seen on training flights across the UK.

One resident said: “It was a awesome sight, so low it was almost at the chimney tops – the house was shaking!”

“Brilliant!”

A request for comment has been sent to the Ministry of Defence.

***Flightpath of the aircraft according to Flightradar’s website***

(Images: Gavin Young/Herald)

Community

Jenkins & Davies investigating alleged racist remarks after video circulates online

Published

3 hours ago

January 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AN ENGINEERING firm has launched an internal investigation after a video circulated online over the weekend which is said to show a senior member of staff at the Pembroke Dock firm making comments described as racist.

The video was uploaded to YouTube and TikTok by DJ Clips UK. In the footage, a member of staff is heard saying he was concerned about a drone being flown in the area because of travellers nearby.

He is quoted as saying: “There are gypsies down the corner, and we just don’t want stuff going missing.”

In response, members of the traveller community have erected a banner outside the company’s gates accusing the firm of “racial abuse”.

Jenkins & Davies Engineering has since issued a public statement acknowledging the video and apologising to those affected.

The company said it was “aware of a video circulating online involving comments made by a senior member of our team” and added: “The message stated was inappropriate and does not reflect our values or the views of the company.”

It continued: “We recognise the hurt and offence this has caused to members of the community, and we would like to sincerely apologise to anyone affected by these unwarranted comments.”

The firm said it takes discrimination “extremely seriously” and confirmed the employee involved had been removed from all duties while a full investigation is carried out.

Charlie Price, described as a prominent voice within the local traveller community, said he believed the remarks were racist and that the response so far had not gone far enough.

He said: “What was said was not acceptable in 2026. We are not happy at all and we see they put an apology on Facebook with the help of their fancy £300 an hour solicitors in Cardiff, but we wants them to come out and give us an apology in person.”

The company statement was signed by managing director R Barnard.