News

Fishguard man acquitted of child sex offences after Crown Court retrial

Published

3 years ago

May 19, 2023

FOLLOWING a retrial held at Swansea Crown Court, Brian Buckle, a 51-year-old resident of Fishguard, was acquitted of a series of historical child sex offences on Friday (May 19) .

The 12 charges against him included allegations of indecent assault, indecency with a child, and attempted rape, all of which were said to have occurred between March 31, 1993, and April 1, 1996.

It is important to note that each of these allegations pertained to the same complainant.

The previous conviction of Buckle, who was 45 at the time, took place in 2017 when he was sentenced to a combined 33 years in prison.

The sentence stipulated that he would serve this period over 15 years.

However, a retrial was ordered by the Court of Appeal last year, leading to the recent proceedings at Swansea Crown Court.

After trial lasting two weeks, during which the court heard extensive arguments from both the prosecution and the defence, the 11-member jury (One had left before the end of the trial because of a pre-booked holiday which had not been mentioned during jury selection) unanimously returned a not guilty verdict on each of the counts.

Deliberations lasted just over four hours.

The prosecution contended that Buckle had sexually abused the complainant, who was between eight and ten years old at the time of the alleged offenses.

They presented forensic evidence linking Buckle to the complainant through traces of his semen found on her childhood diary.

In his defence, Buckle vehemently denied all charges, asserting that he was being framed.

Cleared: Brian Buckle said he was framed

He maintained his innocence throughout the trial, telling the jury, “I never sexually abused, or physically or mentally abused, the complainant.”

Buckle’s barrister argued that his client had never seen the diary, which was referred to as “the invisible diary,” until the 2017 trial.

The defence further claimed that Buckle’s DNA must have been planted on it, potentially originating from a used condom.

Dr. Candice Bridge, a forensic chemist, testified that traces of lubricant used in condoms were present in the semen found.

During the trial, the complainant was questioned as to why she had never reported the allegations to the police.

She explained that she had had negative experiences with the police throughout her life.

In response, the defence barrister argued, “It’s because the defendant did not do these things.”

The retrial shed new light on a case that had been ongoing since 2015 when the charges were initially brought to the attention of the police by the complainant’s father during an unrelated interview.

As the retrial concluded with a not guilty verdict, Brian Buckle walked free from the courtroom, finally proving his innocence in the face of the historical child sex offence charges that had haunted him for years.

It now remains to be seen if the police will investigate the allegation made by Buckle that he was “framed” and that others had seemingly deliberately sought to pervert the course of justice in order to send an innocent main to jail.

News

Reform reveals west Wales candidates for Senedd battle

Published

10 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Monkton councillor tops Pembrokeshire list as party confirms Carmarthenshire names and includes Haverfordwest councillor in unwinnable Swansea spot

REFORM UK has unveiled its full list of candidates for the 2026 Senedd election, setting out its challenge across west Wales including Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

The party has named Susan Claire Archibald, a sitting councillor for Monkton on Pembroke Town Council, as its lead candidate for the Ceredigion Preseli, Mid and South Pembrokeshire regional list.

Speaking to The Herald, Archibald said: “I am honoured to represent Reform UK and Wales.” She added that a fuller statement outlining her priorities would be released in due course.

The remaining candidates on the Pembrokeshire regional list are Paul Marr, a former prison officer, Michael Allen, Elisa Randall, Peter John and Bernard Holton.

Carmarthenshire candidates named

Reform has also confirmed its list for the Caerfyrddin and Llanelli region, with Gareth Beer placed first, followed by Carmelo Colasanto, Sarah Edwards, Christopher Brooke, Alan Cole and Michelle Beer.

The announcement forms part of a nationwide rollout of candidates as the party seeks to establish itself as a credible electoral force ahead of the 2026 vote.

Thorley listed in Swansea region

Among the names included elsewhere is Scott Thorley, a Haverfordwest-based councillor and the first Reform representative elected to Pembrokeshire County Council.

Thorley appears on the party’s list for the Gower and Swansea West region, where he is placed sixth.

Under the Senedd’s proportional representation system, candidates placed lower on regional lists are significantly less likely to be elected, meaning his position is widely viewed as a paper candidacy to complete the slate.

Election framing

Reform Wales leader Dan Thomas said the party was offering voters a stark political choice.

He said: “After a hundred years of failure, Labour are finished in Wales. The choice at this election is what comes next — common sense and a fresh start with Reform, or independence by stealth with Plaid Cymru.”

The Herald understands that further announcements, including candidate profiles and policy details, are expected in the coming weeks as the campaign begins to take shape.

Crime

Man bailed after serious assault in Fishguard town centre

Published

11 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in Fishguard that has left a man in hospital.

The incident happened on Main Street at around 11:00pm on Saturday (Mar 21), when the victim was reportedly punched, sustaining head injuries. He remains in hospital receiving treatment.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, or who may have information that could assist the investigation, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting reference: 26*227686.

Information can be provided online via the Dyfed-Powys Police website, by emailing [email protected], by calling 101, or by sending a direct message on social media.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

News

Childcare funding boost announced in Wales

Published

11 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Hourly rate to rise as costs increase

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has confirmed an increase in the hourly rate paid to childcare providers under its Childcare Offer, following a review of funding levels.

The Minister for Children and Social Care, DAWN BOWDEN MS, announced that the rate will rise to £6.67 per hour from April 6, 2026. The increase of 4.18% comes after feedback from childcare providers and sector data gathered during 2025.

The Welsh Government said the change is designed to help providers cope with rising costs, including increases to the National Living Wage.

The Herald understands the review drew on responses from the Childcare Offer’s Annual Survey, as well as information from Care Inspectorate Wales’ Self-Assessment of Service Statement (SASS).

The move follows a policy shift announced last year to review the rate annually, rather than every three years, in a bid to make funding more responsive to pressures facing the sector.

As part of the update, the maximum charge for meals will also increase by 4.18%, which ministers say is intended to balance affordability for both providers and parents.

Dawn Boden said the Welsh Government remains committed to supporting the long-term sustainability of childcare services, adding that officials will continue working with the sector to explore further improvements.