Crime
Annual St David’s Day Conference puts spotlight on vulnerability of offenders
RECOGNISING vulnerability within offenders will be the focus at Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn’s annual St David’s Conference this year, which will take place on Friday 1st of March at Dyfed-Powys Police Headquarters in Carmarthen.
Recognising vulnerability in offenders is essential for developing a more nuanced and effective approach to criminal justice according to PCC Llywelyn. Identifying and understanding vulnerabilities allows for targeted and effective interventions and will aid in reducing the risks of reoffending and victimisation.
By addressing the underlying issues that contribute to criminal behaviour, there is a better chance of breaking the cycle of reoffending and promoting long-term positive change.

The Conference will provide an insight into how a range of organisations and support services providers work to understand an offender’s vulnerabilities; how they identify situations where offenders may be at risk of victimisation within the criminal justice system; and how they support in putting appropriate safeguards in place to protect vulnerable individuals from harm.
Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn told The Herald: “It gives me great pleasure to host my eighth annual St David’s Day Conference, which this year will focus on recognising offender vulnerability.
“It is important to recognise that many offenders are often victims themselves, who might have possibly experienced crimes worse than their own. Additionally, a significant number of them suffer with mental health problems.
“Understanding these underlying factors is essential as we strive to find more compassionate and effective solutions. Sending individuals to prison isn’t always the better choice; instead, we must work collaboratively to develop interventions and support systems that address the root causes and contribute to rehabilitation.
“My conference this year will bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss collaborative initiatives, raise awareness, and look at effective strategies that aim for a safer and more secure society.”
Guest speakers at the Conference include:
- Michelle John, Director – PEGS Support
Recognising and responding to Child to Parent Abuse - Rebecca Zerk, Director of the Centre for Age, Gender and Social Justice
- Elize Freeman, Deputy Director of the Centre for Age, Gender and Social Justice
- Aberystwyth University
Older victims’ experiences of adult family abuse - Mike Wilkinson, Deputy Chief Executive, New Pathways
Responding to Harmful Sexual Behaviours displayed by victims of violence - Christina Line, Chief Operating Officer, The Nelson Trust & Gemma Humphreys, Women’s Criminal Justice Service Manager – Wales, The Nelson Trust
Female Offending Services and Women’s Centre Approach
This will be PCC Dafydd Llywelyn’s eighth annual St David’s Day Conference, with previous conferences focusing on Coercive Control (2017); Mental Health in Policing (2018); Cyber-Crime (2019); Rural Crime (2020), Victims (2021), Anti-Social Behaviour (2022), and Policing by Consent (2023).

The Conference will take place at Dyfed-Powys Police Headquarters in Carmarthen, while there will also be an opportunity for individuals to join online.
PCC Llywelyn concluded added: “I am looking forward to welcoming all to the conference this year as we consider how to respond to vulnerabilities within offenders, and developing a more nuanced and effective approach to criminal justice”.
Crime
Police appeal after digger stolen and attempted break-ins on Old Hakin Road
DYFED-POWYS POLICE is urging farmers to be vigilant after a digger was stolen and an attempted burglary reported at rural properties off Old Hakin Road, Haverfordwest, in the early hours of Sunday (Dec 14).
Officers say a small digger was taken from a farm and driven around a mile from the scene before being abandoned nearby. A second incident was reported shortly afterwards, in which someone attempted to enter several vehicles and outbuildings at another address before leaving empty-handed.
Rural crime warning
Police have issued fresh crime-prevention advice to the farming community following the two reports, stressing the importance of securing boundaries, machinery and outbuildings.
Farmers are being urged to:
• Install and maintain fences, gates and warning signs.
• Use high-quality locks on barns, sheds and storage units.
• Keep keys to high-value equipment in a safe, secure location.
• Install security cameras in strategic places.
• Join or participate in Farm Watch schemes to share intelligence with neighbours and police.
Dyfed-Powys Police’s Rural Crime Team is also offering farm visits to help mark equipment and carry out security audits. These can be arranged by emailing [email protected].
Further advice on preventing rural crime is available at:
https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rc/rural-crime/
Appeal for information
Enquiries are ongoing and police are asking anyone with information to contact them using any of the following methods:
🖥️ Online form: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/
📧 Email: [email protected]
💬 Direct message via social media
📞 Call 101
Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Please quote reference 25001019854.
(Image of digger is for illustrative purposes only and may differ from the actual digger stolen.)
Crime
Carmarthenshire man jailed for sexually explicit messages to three children
Two-year prison sentence and decade-long SHPO imposed at Swansea Crown Court
A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has been jailed for two years after he admitted sending sexually explicit messages and images to three girls under the age of sixteen.
Devon Wildgust, aged 22, of Lon y Gruglas, Ammanford, appeared at Swansea Crown Court today (Monday, Dec 15) for sentence. The court imposed a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which will significantly restrict his contact with children, as well as his access to devices and the internet. He must also comply with sex offender notification requirements.
Wildgust previously appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on November 24, where he indicated guilty pleas to three counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. All three victims are protected under Section 1 of the Sexual Offences Amendment Act 1992.
The offences took place over just six days, between 15 and 21 November 2025. During this period, Wildgust sent explicit and indecent images of himself — including photographs of his genitals — to three separate girls, each under sixteen. He also made sexually explicit comments and requested sexual acts. The court heard he did not reasonably believe any of the children were over sixteen.
Because of the seriousness, pattern and escalation of the offending, magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence under Section 14 of the Sentencing Act 2020. He had been on conditional bail, including daily reporting to Ammanford Police Station, until today’s hearing.
Following the sentencing, Predator Awareness and Red Rose UK issued a joint statement welcoming the outcome. They said: “Devon Wildgust is a dangerous sex offender who presents a massive risk to children. As a combined force we are determined to prevent further harm by intercepting communications online and bringing predators to justice.”
Crime
Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident
A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.
Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.
The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:
- Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
- Common assault
- Assault by beating
No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.
Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.
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