News

Islander says police are investigating new Caldey Island child sex assault claim

Published

3 years ago

July 19, 2023

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has been asked by The Pembrokeshire Herald if it is investigating an allegation of child sexual assault linked to Caldey Island.

The Pembrokeshire Heald understands that the allegation, confirmed to this newspaper by someone close to the island, involves a worker on Caldey, and that the nature of the complaint has caused concern amongst the island community.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police told The Pembrokeshire Herald on Wednesday (Jul 18): “We have received a report concerning Caldey Island, and officers are conducting initial enquiries.”

There have been multiple cases of sex crimes linked to Caldey Island. Here is a summary of the incidents:

Father John Shannon: He lived on Caldey Island in 2008 and 2009. In 2010, he was found to have downloaded 740 indecent images of children on a computer while working as a lecturer at a Catholic seminary in County Durham. He was convicted and sentenced to eight months in jail, placed on the sex offender register for 10 years, and banned from working with children for life.
Tahddsus Kotik: He was a Benedictine monk who lived in the monastery on Caldey Island from 1947 until his death in 1992. In November, it was revealed that he was accused of sexual abuse against children dating back to the 1970s and 1980s. The Abbey settled civil claims by six women in March, and an additional six women and a man have approached the Guardian newspaper alleging abuse by Kotik.
Paul Ashton: He hid on Caldey Island and lived there under an assumed identity for seven years. After being caught and taken back to the mainland, he was later sentenced and jailed for possessing 5,000 images of child abuse on his computer.
John Cronin: He is suspected to have lived on Caldey Island in 2009 under an assumed name in a cottage owned by the Monastery.

In response to these cases, Darren Millar, the Conservatives’ children’s spokesman in the Welsh assembly in 2017, has called on the Welsh government to launch an investigation into Caldey Island.

Senedd to decide on Caldey Island sex inquiry as petition reaches 5000 signatures

READ THIS WEEK’S PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD HERE:

Crime

Four deny murder of Caerphilly teenager

Published

2 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people have pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 17-year-old boy.

Ricardo Elliot, aged 27, Connor Palfrey, aged 24, Elexi Manny, aged 24, and Georgie Mears, aged 18, appeared before Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday (March 20), where each denied killing Tristan Shae Kerr.

Emergency services were called to a property in Abertridwr, Caerphilly, at around 5:45pm on Wednesday (Feb 5) following reports that a teenage boy had suffered serious injuries. Despite efforts, Tristan was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard that the teenager is alleged to have been attacked with a so-called “zombie knife” measuring approximately nine to ten inches in length.

During the hearing, the four defendants spoke only to confirm their personal details and enter their pleas.

A trial is due to begin on August 3 and is expected to last around six weeks. A further pre-trial review has been scheduled for July 24.

All four defendants were remanded in custody.

Paying tribute after his death, Tristan’s family described him as a “deeply loved son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.”

They said he was quick-witted, with a love for motorbikes and adventure, adding that he had a natural energy that lit up every room and drew people towards him.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

21 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.