Crime

Man who raped three women given 27-year extended sentence

Published

1 year ago

July 28, 2023

A WEST WALES man who raped a woman he had just met in the woods outside Lampeter, after similar attacks on two other women in recent years, has been sentenced to a 27-year extended sentence.

Following a short man hunt in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, Saul Rowan Henvey was arrest on May 7th 2021, for a rape the previous day when he led a woman he had just met in Lampeter into the woods, told her he loved her, before carrying out his attack.

The 47-year-old, from the Tregaron area, was charged with that rape on 8th May 2021 and remanded to court, where he was further remanded into custody.

As part of an intensive investigation, officers revisited another rape allegation against Henvey in May 2019.

The victim said Henvey had approached her when she was alone in the front garden of her home in Lampeter.

He manipulated her into allowing him into her home where he raped her later that day.

Henvey continued to manipulate this victim for several months after the rape, until she found the strength to report what had happened to Domestic Violence Support officers, who then alerted the police in January 2020.

That case wasn’t progressed at the time due to evidential issues, however, the victim in that case, who was completely unrelated to the latest victim, had reported Henvey’s behaviours that matched the recent attack.

Then, following the publicity after Henvey’s charge for the woodland attack in Lampeter, a further unrelated victim came forward to report a rape in the Llanddewi Brefi area between March and April 2021.

In that incident Henvey approaching a lone female while she was at home and convinced her to allow him to stay by claiming to be homeless. On two separate occasions, the woman woke in the night to find Henvey raping her whilst she slept in her own bed.

Senior investigating officer, DI Adam Cann, said: “This case has shown the importance of reporting to police when you are the victim of rape or sexual assault.

“Due to a lack of appropriate evidence, initially we were not able to get justice for the first victim. However, Henvey’s actions and pattern of offending meant we were able to prove a pattern that convinced the jury of his guilt.”

Henvey was back at Swansea Crown Court, where he was found guilty of four counts of rape following trial on March 7, today when the judge sentenced him to a 27-year extended sentence – 21 years in custody plus six years on licence.

He was told he would serve two thirds of his sentence before being able to apply for parole.

Henvey was placed on the sex offenders register for life and given an indefinite restraining order for each victim.

Throughout the investigation and trial the victims were supported by specialist officers and the additional compassion and support provided by New Pathways in guiding the victims through the process has been invaluable.

DI Adam Cann said: “The sentence handed to Henvey today is welcomed and we hope it will give some comfort to his victims and allows them to move on with their lives.

“As officers, we have witnessed the devastating effect Henvey’s heinous, violent actions had on his victims.

“Despite this they have shown incredible strength, bravery and determination to see the investigation through and help us make sure he is locked up where he can’t do the same to other women.

“I hope this reassures people that Dyfed-Powys Police will not tolerate such terrible crimes and gives anyone who has been attacked like this the confidence to come forward.

“We will listen to you and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”

READ THIS WEEK’S PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD HERE:

Crime

Albanian man jailed after cannabis farm found in Pembroke

Published

23 hours ago

November 11, 2024

Court Reporter

AN ALBANIAN man has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after police discovered a sophisticated cannabis farm in the former Lloyds Pharmacy on Main Street, Pembroke.

Dyfed-Powys Police officers raided the vacant property at 10:00am on Friday (Oct 18) and found 575 cannabis plants in advanced stages of growth across three rooms. The estimated yield of the plants could have produced between 15 and 45 kilograms of cannabis, valued at £170,000 to £500,000 on the street.

Inside the building, officers also discovered a makeshift living area with a bed and shower, indicating that the suspect, Amarildo Daja, had been residing there. Daja attempted to flee but retreated into the building, hiding in the ceiling when confronted by police. Officers assisted him down with a ladder before placing him under arrest.

The property’s electricity supply had been tampered with to avoid detection, and two mobile phones were found on-site—one damaged and the other wiped clean.

Daja, 27, admitted to police that he had been smuggled into the UK by a criminal gang to pay off a debt. He initially worked in London but agreed to tend the cannabis farm in Pembrokeshire three months prior to his arrest after struggling to make payments.

In court, his defense barrister, Caitlin Brazel, explained that Daja deeply regretted his actions, describing them as “out of character.” Daja, who has no fixed address, expressed a desire to serve his sentence and seek legal employment afterward.

Judge Geraint Walters noted that the case highlighted the need to target criminal organizations behind such operations. “If we want to tackle the issue of Albanian criminal gangs establishing cannabis factories, we must find the ringleaders,” he stated.

Daja will serve his sentence with the possibility of deportation upon release, subject to a Home Office decision.

(Main image: Martin Cavaney)

Crime

Officers investigate Carmarthenshire post office burglary – Cash stolen

Published

3 days ago

November 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICe is investigating a burglary at a Carmarthenshire post office which took place on Tuesday (Nov 5) at around 6:30pm.

Detectives said that two suspects reportedly entered the Furnace Post Office, stealing the till drawer containing a quantity of cash.

After fleeing the scene, the pair were seen heading towards the Rugby Club and Ynys Y Cwm Road.

Police are appealing to the public for assistance in identifying the suspects.

They are particularly keen to hear from residents near these areas who may have CCTV or doorbell camera footage.

Investigators are also seeking to identify the individual in CCTV images who could possess information vital to the investigation.

Anyone who recognises the person in the footage, or believes they might be pictured, is urged to get in touch via the following channels:

Online: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline
Email: [email protected]
Phone: Call 101

Crime

Motorist jailed over death of popular Tenby taxi driver ‘Mukka’

Published

4 days ago

November 8, 2024

Court Reporter

MOTORIST Mateusz Sikorski, 30, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 8) for causing death by dangerous driving.

Addressing the court, the judge HH Geraint Walters KC, said: “These cases are amongst the most difficult that courts have to deal with. This wasn’t a momentary crossing onto the other carriageway; you were travelling along there for at least half a mile.”

Sikorski had been staying with friends in Manorbier, Tenby, since June 2024, when the fatal incident occurred.

On September 2, CCTV captured Sikorski driving on the wrong side of the A4139 between Tenby and Penally. Christopher Boyle, 57, was travelling northbound on the same road in his taxi when the two collided head-on.

***Mukka was a well known and well loved member of the local community (Image: Supplied)***

Prosecutor Dean Pulling recounted Sikorski’s comments at the scene: “I think it may have been my fault, I think I was on the wrong side of the road.” Boyle was pronounced dead at 11:32 pm on September 2, having sustained multiple traumatic injuries.

A heartfelt family statement from Boyle’s sister was read in court, describing the devastating impact of his death: “The loss of Chris has been absolutely devastating. His death has left a profound void that can never be filled.

“He was a son, brother, father, and beloved member of our community. My father has had to endure the unimaginable by burying his own son. For Christopher’s children, they have lost a dad.

***Tribute in the sand: Mukka is missed by many***

“Chris was a much-loved character within the community. His loss has left a hole in the hearts of so many. All of this was caused by a moment of selfish and careless actions, and caused a lifetime of grief.”

In mitigation, James Hartson argued that Sikorski had accepted full responsibility for Boyle’s death and expressed genuine remorse.

Christopher Boyle, affectionately known as “Mukka” was a devoted father, son, brother, partner, and community figure, whose absence is deeply felt by all who knew him.