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Crime

Fishguard man accused of three counts of making indecent images of a child

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A FISHGUARD man accused of three counts of making indecent images of a child and one charge of possessing a prohibited image of a child will stand trial.

James Francis of High Street, Fishguard, appeared to face the charges at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on September 20.

The court heard how 27-year-old Francis is accused of being in possession of a prohibited image of a child on June 24, 2020.

The three charges of making indecent images of children relate to a period of time between March 1, 2018 and June 25, 2020.

Francis is accused of making 148 indecent images/ pseudo-photos of children in category C, one in category B and 2 in category A.

The case was sent to crown court for trial.

No plea was entered for the charges.

The defendant was released on unconditional bail to appear at Swansea Crown Court on October 19.

Crime

Pembroke man sent ‘grossly offensive and disgusting’ message to sister

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A DISTRICT Judge has described how a Pembroke man sent a ‘disgusting, appalling and grossly offensive’ message to his sister via a Facebook message.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, sent a message to his sister on January 18, asking her if she was alone.

“He sent her a photo of himself with no top on, and the words, ‘What’s your reaction?’” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

Ms Jackson then went on to quote the subsequent message which the 38-year-old sent to his sister.

“I bet you’d like a long hard cock shoved deep inside you,” he told her via the Facebook messenger system.

“This wasn’t an appropriate message,” said Ms Jackson, “so the sister blocked him.”

Ms Jackson then read a victim impact statement from the sister.

“I don’t know how to put this into words,” she said.

“This is something I didn’t expect to receive from my own brother. It made me feel disgusted and has put a huge strain on our family.

“It concerns me that he can send me these kinds of messages. What can he send to other people?”

The defendant pleaded guilty to a charge of sending an offensive, indecent, obscene and menacing message to his sister when he appeared before magistrates via a video link from Swansea prison.

He was sentenced to 16 weeks in custody suspended for 18 months.

A restraining order was imposed preventing him from having any contact with his sister and from entering her address. He was ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

“This was a grossly offensive message which was both disgusting and appalling,” commented the District Judge Mark Laytn when imposing sentence.

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Crime

Suspended sentence for distribution and possession of child abuse images

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IN a controversial decision at Swansea Crown Court, 20-year-old Euwyn Draper of Goat Street, Haverfordwest, has been spared prison time despite admitting to possessing and distributing indecent images of children.

The court heard that Draper pleaded guilty to charges involving 74 Category A images — the most severe — along with 102 Category B and 385 Category C images. These were amassed and shared over a period last year, with specific distributions occurring on November 4, 2022.

Prosecutor Sian Cutter detailed that the investigation began with a raid at Draper’s residence on December 21, 2022. Although Draper was not present, and initial searches of his devices at his home returned no results, subsequent actions led to his arrest at his workplace. Upon confronting law enforcement, Draper immediately acknowledged his awareness of the reasons for their presence, lamenting, “I know why you’re here. I don’t do it anymore. I’m sorry.”

Further examination of his phone revealed not only the indecent images but also concerning internet searches and conversations indicating a focus on children. Notably, Draper had sent one image of each category to a contact named “Ralph” via WhatsApp.

Despite these admissions, Draper, who has no prior convictions, denied a sexual interest in children during his interview.

Representing Draper, defence lawyer Dan Griffiths stressed the defendant’s recognition of the gravity of his offences and highlighted his client’s age and immaturity at the time of the offences. The court also considered the prolonged period since the arrest to the trial, a span of 16 months.

Judge Geraint Walters addressed the court, underscoring the public’s disdain for such crimes and the harsh reality behind the images. “These are real children, they are not actors,” Judge Walters emphasized, condemning the market that drives such exploitative material.

Ultimately, Draper received a suspended sentence of 12 months for distribution and six months, concurrent, for making the images. Over the next two years, he must complete the Horizon programme and 30 days of rehabilitation activities. Additionally, Draper will be registered as a sex offender and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.

Judge Walters concluded with a stern admonition for Draper to commit to rehabilitation and to move past this “dark phase” in his life, marking a pivotal moment for the young defendant and the community’s ongoing battle against such digital crimes.

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Crime

Police appeal after girl, 15, assaulted at Lydstep Point to Point

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DYFED-POWYS-POLICE says it is investigating an assault which occurred at Lydstep Point to Point event near to the announcers stand, between 4.30-4.45pm on Monday, April 1, 2024.

The victim, a 15-year-old girl, was allegedly assaulted by two other females, one believed to be in her late teens and the other in her late thirties. The young victim sustained facial injuries.

Police are now appealing for anyone who attended the event that may have information that could help them with their investigation to contact PC 772 Boyt either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected] or by calling 101.

Quote reference: 24*310890

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

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