News

Man accused of 22 counts of child sexual abuse says that he is innocent

Published

3 years ago

August 3, 2023

DOMINIC DEWICK, from Haverfordwest, faces counts of sexually abusing two children. The trial began at Swansea Crown Court on Monday this week.

The first witness sworn in after the prosecution opened their case said that she endured eight years of sexual abuse as a child, and told the court how her innocence prevented her from realising his actions were wrong.

“I was seven years old when he began fondling me,” she told the jury.

“And it went on for eight years. It was only as I got older that I realised what he was doing wasn’t right and I tried to think of ways to make him stop.”

Dewick, 44, of Harrier Road, Haverfordwest, faces a total of 22 charges of sexual assault on a child, gross indecency to a child and assault by penetration on a child under 13. The charges are alleged to have been committed on the first witness between 1993 and 2002, and on Victim B between 2013 and 2017.

On Monday, she told the court that the offences against her began when she was seven years old.

The first incident involved Dewick removing her clothing before being assaulted.

“After that he would fondle my breasts and he did this for around eight years,” recalled Victim A.

Victim A said the assaults came to an end when she was 15.

“I was walking home from school one day and Dominic suggested we walked together,” she said.

“I was carrying a bag and a coat wrapped round my arm, and a folder in front of my chest. And then Dominic started taking the items away from me so he could carry them himself and had access to my breasts.

On day two of the trial this week, the second alleged victim described how he began abusing her when she was just nine years old.

“He started giving me sweets and chocolates as part of the grooming process, so that I would feel better with him, and like him,” she said.

“I was quite happy to receive the gifts but he also told me that my friends didn’t care about me. He also called me a b**ch once for making too much noise when I took some ice-cream out of the fridge. And that made me feel bad.”

Giving evidence to the court behind a screen she said the sexual assaults stemmed back to when the defendant began giving her massages, which then led to molestation.

The witness was asked by defence counsel James Hartson, KC, whether any of the alleged incidents stand out in her memory.

“Nothing stands out, per se,” she replied. “It’s just years and years’ worth that have made me terribly ill, depressed suicidal and extremely bad mentally.”

During the third day of his trial, Dewick vehemently denied all accusations and expressed feeling “dismayed and sick” when confronted by the police.

“I’d never do anything like that,” Dewick asserted with apparent shock as he addressed the court. “I was quite dismayed to hear this, and it was sick.”

The prosecution presented allegations that Dewick sexually assaulted Victim A repeatedly between 1993 and 2002 when she was only five to fifteen years old. Additionally, Victim 2 accused Dewick of multiple sexual assaults between 2013 and 2017.

The defence counsel, Nicola Powell KC, raised questions about the validity of the allegations, particularly regarding Victim A’s age when the alleged abuse began. Powell questioned whether a five-year-old child could fully comprehend and make such grave accusations.

Dewick maintained his innocence and described Victim A as ‘buggy,’ claiming she first accused him of rape when he was 13 and she was merely five years old. According to Dewick, she made a similar accusation when he was 16 and she was eight years old. However, he adamantly refuted the veracity of these claims, stating, “Not one accusation that was made by her was true.”

During the cross-examination, Powell confronted Dewick about his conduct during the initial police interview in 2022. The officers claimed he displayed a lack of respect, using terms like ‘sweetheart,’ and even chuckled when asked serious questions. Dewick explained that his chuckling was merely a “nervous laugh” due to the absurdity of the allegations levelled against him.

But the trial took an unexpected turn when the Crown brought up an incident from 2021 involving a third child who accused Dewick of inappropriate behaviour. The child claimed Dewick asked her for a “little strokey-strokey” massage. Nonetheless, no further legal action was taken regarding this accusation.

The Crown questioned the timing of the third child’s allegation, which coincided with the ages of the other victims when they were assaulted. Dewick, however, dismissed any sexual intent behind his actions, attributing the request for a back massage to his long-standing back pain.

The defence probed Dewick further regarding his medical evidence for the back pain, to which he replied that he had never visited a doctor for the issue.

THURSDAY AT COURT

Swansea Crown Court witnessed an intense third day of trial as Dominic Dewick expressed feeling “dismayed and sick” when confronted by the police with the allegations.

During the trial, Dewick vehemently denied the accusations, exclaiming, “I’d never do anything like that.” He recounted his reaction to the charges, stating, “I was quite dismayed to hear this, and it was sick.”

In a startling revelation, Dewick described the first victim, who was aged five at the time, as having accused him of rape when he was just 13 years old. According to Dewick, the same accusation resurfaced when he turned 16 and she was then eight years old.

Challenged during cross-examination by defence counsel Nicola Powell KC, Dewick’s explanation for the accusations came under scrutiny. Powell questioned whether a five-year-old could fully comprehend the gravity of such allegations. Additionally, she brought attention to Dewick’s behaviour during his initial police interview in 2022, where he was reported to have chuckled and shown a lack of respect towards the officers involved.

Responding to the accusations of chuckling, Dewick asserted, “It was an anxious laugh, a nervous laugh because it was so ridiculous to hear this story about me. I thought, ‘This has got to be a joke.’ It was laughable.”

The Crown later revealed that in 2021, a third child, aged nine, claimed that Dewick had asked her to engage in inappropriate behavior. However, no further legal action was taken regarding this particular allegation.

During the trial, the Crown questioned the coincidence of multiple allegations surfacing when the children were around the same age when the alleged assaults took place. Dewick dismissed any suggestion of sexual intent, attributing his actions to severe back pain that he had purportedly endured for years.

In an exchange with Judge Paul Thomas, Dewick was asked to provide medical evidence supporting his claim of back pain. However, he admitted to never seeking medical attention for this condition.

The trial continues.

News

Local Windsurf instructors ride the waves with Welsh Sailing Impact awards

Published

7 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Local windsurfers who support the Windswept Watersports are riding the waves this month after being presented with their Welsh Sailing Impact Awards.

Volunteer instructors David Picker, Bob Jones, Leslie Burton and Graham Smith

have all been recognised for their commitment to encouraging the next

generation of windsurfers at the community watersports centre in Dale.

The dedicated team has played an essential role in supporting the Windswept

Warriors youth windsurfing club since its launch more than four years ago.

Sarah Bagley, Director of Windswept Watersports, said: “A huge congratulations go to

our windsurf volunteers on being chosen for Impact Awards – Bob, Leslie, Graham

and Dave have supported us so much by making our Windsurf Warrior sessions

happen every week, and they couldn’t deserve this more.

“They have made a huge impact in making the club what it is today and we’re able

to grow the club’s numbers and keep the costs down due to them giving up their

Sundays. Since the club started they’ve been so enthusiastic about inspiring

the next generation of windsurfers and their passion for the sport really is

Infectious.

“What’s more, the club has gone on to win medals at windsurfing national

championships and none of this would have happened without our superstar

volunteers.”

Windswept Watersports is a Not-For-Profit organisation which aims to make

activities accessible for all, including delivering outreach sessions to local schools,

youth and community groups, and running a variety of clubs encouraging local

people to enjoy getting on the water.

The Windswept Warriors group enables young people aged 10-19 to learn the

sport and take their skills to the next level, with Sunday morning sessions for just

£10 a go, including all equipment and tuition thanks to its volunteer instructors.

Impact Awardee Leslie said: “I didn’t start windsurfing until my late 30s so I really

love helping the juniors to progress. It’s great to see their confidence grow by just

having fun on, and in, the water. We just love sharing our sport with youngsters

and seeing the enjoyment they get from it, whether that’s improving and

progressing their skills or just having a go occasionally.”

Explaining their enthusiasm for giving back to the sport, fellow Impact Awardee

Graham said: “I’ve had some fantastic times and I’ve met some amazing people while

windsurfing and by volunteering I get the opportunity to give those chances to

others. I also love it when I see people progress and what it means to them.”

Award-winning team members Bob and Dave likewise sum up the satisfaction

and rewards of seeing young windsurfers progress from beginner to intermediate

to themselves becoming instructors.

Bob said: “I love coaching the junior club, seeing their progression week by week, especially those big ‘Hallelujah, I did it’ moments. I’m super proud to be a colleague of Windswept’s young instructors who were part of the junior crew not so far back.”

Welsh Sailing Impact Awards are presented by RYA Cymru Wales to recognise the

hard work of individuals and organisations who go the extra mile to support

activities afloat, in line with the governing body’s Together on our Waters strategy

to create a connected, inspired and inclusive sailing and boating community.

Hester Walker, Club Development Officer for RYA Cymru Wales, said: “This team

commit a huge amount of time to supporting the youth windsurfers at Windswept

Watersports. Their time allows for the training to be offered at a lower rate, helping

to remove the barrier of cost and enabling more young people to get on the

water. Dale has become one of the most active windsurfing communities thanks

to Windswept Watersports and the fantastic support of these volunteers.”

News

Plaid tells Carmarthenshire voters: ‘Only we can stop Reform’

Published

15 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PLAID CYMRU has urged voters in Sir Gaerfyrddin to back the party on Thursday, claiming it is the only party able to beat Reform UK in the new constituency.

The appeal comes after the latest ITV Cymru Wales, YouGov and Wales Governance Centre MRP poll suggested Plaid Cymru is on course to become the largest party in the Senedd, with Reform close behind. The poll put Plaid on 33% across Wales and Reform on 29%. (YouGov)

Sir Gaerfyrddin is one of the new Senedd constituencies being used for the first time in this election. It has been created from the Carmarthen and Llanelli Westminster seats and will elect six Members of the Senedd under the new closed-list system.

Plaid Cymru’s list in Sir Gaerfyrddin is led by Cefin Campbell, followed by Nerys Evans, Adam Price and Mari Arthur. (Who Can I Vote For?)

The party says the contest locally is now between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, and has called on voters who want to stop Nigel Farage’s party from gaining ground in Carmarthenshire to “lend” Plaid their vote.

Nerys Evans said Plaid was offering “new leadership” and a “positive vision” for Wales, including childcare support, a National Development Agency to grow the economy, and a new numeracy and literacy scheme for children.

She said: “As the voters of Sir Gaerfyrddin head to the polls on Thursday, the choice could not be more stark.

“Only two parties can win here: Plaid Cymru, who offer new leadership, a positive vision, and which will be accountable only to the people of Wales; or Reform, which would divide our communities, threaten the future of our NHS, cut support for our culture and language and is controlled by Nigel Farage, billionaires, and ex-Tories in London.

“Support for Labour has disappeared in Carmarthenshire, with people unwilling to vote for a party that has let Wales down for over 27 years and in Westminster since Keir Starmer became Prime Minister.

“There is no evidence that the Greens or the Liberal Democrats will secure enough votes to come close to winning a seat.

“We ask anyone who wants to prevent a victory for Reform in Carmarthenshire to lend their vote to Plaid Cymru on Thursday.”

The Senedd election takes place on Thursday (May 7).

Climate

Chris Packham backs Carmarthen ‘nature crisis’ climate screening

Published

47 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

BROADCASTER and environmental campaigner Chris Packham has backed a free public screening in Carmarthen aimed at encouraging local discussion about the climate and nature crisis.

The People’s Emergency Briefing will be shown at St Peters Civic Hall, Carmarthen, on Friday, May 22, at 7:00pm.

The screening will be followed by a facilitated community discussion involving residents, local leaders and invited decision-makers.

The event forms part of a UK-wide programme intended to help the public and policymakers better understand the risks posed by climate change and biodiversity loss.

The film follows the National Emergency Briefing held at Westminster Central Hall in November 2025, where more than 1,200 MPs, peers and leaders from business, culture, faith, sport and the media gathered to hear evidence from leading experts.

The briefing, introduced by Chris Packham CBE, examined the impact of climate and nature breakdown on food security, public health, infrastructure, the economy and national security.

It has since been adapted into a 50-minute public film, which launched nationally in April and is now being screened in communities across the UK.

Chris Packham said: “I’d encourage people everywhere to attend a screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing.

“It creates exactly the kind of honest local conversation we now urgently need, both about what these changes mean where we live, and about what we can do together to address them.”

Organisers say the Carmarthen event comes at a time of growing local concern over flooding on the rivers Towy and Gwili, as well as biodiversity loss linked to pollution incidents.

After the film, those attending will be invited to take part in a structured discussion about the issues raised and what they may mean locally.

Local MPs, councillors and other influential figures have also been invited.

Philip Hughes, one of the organisers, said: “This is about creating space for people to come together, look at the evidence, and begin a more open and informed conversation about what it means for our community.

“It is also about how we can support the bolder action now called for by the science, which will also do so much to improve lives, as the film explains.”

Tickets for the Carmarthen screening are free, but advance registration is encouraged.