News

Ex-Methodist minister admits child porn offences

Published

11 years ago

October 8, 2013

A 51-YEAR-OLD former Methodist minister, who now lives in Crymych, appeared at North West Wiltshire Magistrates Court last week, where he pleaded guilty to five charges of making indecent images of children on November 28, 2011, and one charge of possessing them between November 2011 and October 2012.
The Rev Dale Anthony Cotton has admitted looking at child porn on the internet and confessed it was the result of a pornography addiction spanning back 10 years.
Cotton, who was employed by Chippenham Methodist Circuit, is to be put on the sex offenders’ register after being turned into police by a fellow minister at the church.
Police found more than 600 child abuse images on computers at the clergyman’s home in Chippenham at the end of October 2012.
Pauline Lambert, prosecuting, said: “In October 2012 Rev Jones contacted the police and said one of his ministers at the Methodist Church, that is Rev Dale Cotton, had informed him he had been accessing child pornography. Police officers seized two computers from Cotton’s home address.
“He said he had been addicted for the last ten years and had been involved in internet chat rooms.”
She said the two laptops contained a total of 611 child abuse images, of which 90 were able to be readily viewed again. The vast majority of these were level one, the lowest level of explicitness.
The court heard Cotton had visited websites synonymous with child abuse, including site addresses referencing school angels, nude virgins and teeny lovers.
Mark Glendenning, defending, said: “He has an addiction, and that has spilt out of curiosity over onto chat rooms. He accepts he has a problem.”
He told magistrates most of the images were inaccessible, and there was no suggestion of any having been distributed anywhere else.
Chair of the bench, Lady Maria Pitt, said a pre-sentence report should include all options, including custody.
Cotton will be sentenced by magistrates in Chippenham on October 31 after pre-sentence reports have been prepared.
Bail conditions forbid him from having contact with children under 16 without supervision, using a computer or other device to access the internet.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

7 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

14 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

15 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.