Crime
Man accused of child rape has case delayed due to barristers’ strike
THE CASE of a Cardigan man accused of raping a girl under the age of 13 has been delayed due to barristers’ strike action.
Nathan Edwin William Griffiths, 32, of Golwg-y-Castell, Cardigan, is alleged to have raped the young girl on two occasions between January 19, 2014 and January 20, 2015.
However, the Swansea Crown Court hearing on Wednesday (Sept 9), where a plea was expected, had to be postponed until November due to the strike.
If he pleads not guilty by then, Griffiths’ four-day trial will proceed on February 27. Griffiths was released on bail.
Barristers working on criminal cases say they are on strike because they have seen deep cuts to their income after government changes to the legal aid system.
Many have quit publicly funded legal aid work, leading to “legal aid deserts”. Barristers who remain say they can no longer survive on the fees and that the criminal justice system is almost at a standstill.
The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) said a government offer of a 15% uplift in fees, which was the minimum increase recommended by the criminal legal aid review, was insufficient and would not apply to the backlog of 58,000 cases in crown courts.
DYFED-POWYS POLICE is appealing for information following a fatal collision on the A4138 between the Llangennech roundabout and the Crematorium roundabout in Carmarthenshire.
The incident occurred at around 10:50pm on Wednesday (April 2) and involved a silver BMW and a black Peugeot 208.
Tragically, the driver of the BMW died as a result of their injuries. Their next of kin has been informed.
The driver of the Peugeot remains in hospital in a critical condition.
The road was closed overnight to allow for a full collision investigation and reopened at around 8:45am today (April 3).
Police are urging anyone who may have been travelling along the A4138 at the time to get in touch, particularly motorists with dash cam footage from the area.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police either online at https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, or by calling 101.
Quote reference: 25*271914
ROWAN CLARK, aged 24, of no fixed abode in Pembroke Dock, appeared before magistrates this week accused of criminal damage at a legal office in Pembroke.
The court heard that on Saturday, April 27, 2024, Clark allegedly caused £62 worth of damage to property belonging to Greathead and Whitelock Solicitors, located on Hamilton Terrace.
Clark has pleaded not guilty to the offence and has been remanded in custody ahead of further hearings.
He is due to appear again at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, April 15, via live video link for a case mention, with sentencing scheduled for April 22 if convicted.
ROWAN CLARK, aged 24, of Devon Drive, Pembroke, has been remanded in custody following a string of offences in the town including multiple thefts, vehicle interference and damage to public property.
Clark appeared before magistrates in Haverfordwest on Thursday (Mar 27) where he admitted stealing alcohol worth £24 from Bush Hill Service Station on March 8, £27.20 worth of alcohol from Spar on both February 18 and March 18, £34.33 worth of groceries from Spar on February 11, and £21.57 worth of groceries from Bush Hill Service Station on the same date.
He also admitted to interfering with a motor vehicle—a blue Honda—on February 19 with the intent to steal it or items from it.
Additionally, Clark was convicted of criminal damage after smashing windows worth £602.78 belonging to Pembrokeshire County Council on September 16 last year.
Clark was also convicted of failing to attend an assessment for drug misuse on February 8, after testing positive for cocaine.
He has been remanded in custody while reports are prepared and will next appear in court on Tuesday, April 15, via live video link.
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