Crime

Trial opens for man charged with historic sexual offences

Published

2 years ago

February 8, 2024

SWANSEA CROWN COURT heard harrowing testimony as the trial of Kevin Offland, 45, opened this week.

The mother of one of his alleged victims has recounted the immediate and dramatic change in her daughter’s behaviour following an alleged rape at the tender age of 11.

Offland, currently a resident of Nichols Road, Great Yarmouth, is accused of a series of grave sexual offences spanning over two decades.

Offland faces a list of eighteen charges, including three counts of rape, the rape of a child under 13, causing a child to engage in sexual activity, alongside thirteen further allegations of sexual activity with a child.

These offences are reported to have occurred across Pembrokeshire and Shrewsbury areas, painting a distressing pattern of abuse that has left communities shaken.

The defendant has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges laid against him.

During the court proceedings on Wednesday, the mother of one victim delivered a poignant account of her daughter’s ordeal. She revealed to the jury that her daughter confided in her about the assault in December 2018, stating, “She told me that Kevin Offland had raped her when she was 11 years old. She was crying, like she didn’t want to tell me.” The mother described a stark transformation in her child’s demeanour post-incident, noting a shift from a “happy” and “really calm” state to one of turmoil and distress, a change she initially attributed to teenage angst.

In a cross-examination, Nicola Powell, defending, queried the consistency of the mother’s statements to the police, highlighting an evolution in the account from uncertainty to a definitive allegation of rape. The witness firmly responded, affirming her daughter’s allegation against Offland.

The jury was also presented with the police interview of the complainant, where she disclosed her reluctance to come forward sooner due to fear and disbelief, poignantly stating, “I was just a little kid. Who would have believed me over this man?”

The defence suggested a possible motive of collusion against Offland among the complainants, a claim swiftly refuted by the victim, who clarified their collective pursuit was not of vengeance but justice.

The court learned of Offland’s relocation to Wales around 2011, with allegations against him dating back to 1998. The prosecution alleges Offland’s predatory actions began when he was 19, with his first reported rape occurring in February 1998 against an 18-year-old. Further accusations include the rape of a second victim between 2000 and 2003, the 11-year-old girl between 2008 and 2009, and additional charges of rape and sexual abuse against other young victims through to 2022.

The trial continues.

Crime

Dock woman given mental health treatment order after supermarket thefts

Published

4 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKE DOCK woman has been placed on a mental health treatment requirement after repeatedly stealing meat, cheese and other grocery items from local supermarkets.

Lisa Stewart, 45, admitted three theft offences when she appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

The first offence took place on March 11, when Stewart stole Vanish, Lenor and three packs of Persil capsules from Home Bargains in Pembroke Dock, with a total value of £58.41.

The following month, she stole four small beef joints, four steaks and three blocks of cheese from Asda in Pembroke Dock, worth £55.68.

Seven days later, she stole four legs of lamb from Farmfoods in Pembroke Dock, valued at £99.96.

Stewart, of Truscott House, London Road, Pembroke Dock, also pleaded guilty to failing to surrender to police bail on or around May 26.

She was represented in court by solicitor Alaw Harries, who told magistrates the thefts involved items of relatively low value and were not the result of “sophisticated offending”.

“The defendant has had an exceptionally difficult time, as last year she lost her partner to cancer and has struggled profoundly to process that grief,” said Ms Harries.

“Instead, she has attempted to cope by taking more of her prescribed medication than she should. And this is what has led her to be here today.”

Ms Harries said Stewart is now motivated to address her issues.

Magistrates sentenced Stewart to an 18-month community order. She must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, a 12-month mental health treatment requirement and a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

The order will include monthly reviews in court.

Stewart must also pay £214.05 compensation to the supermarkets, together with a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Grandmother banned after cocaine drug-drive offence

Published

4 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A GRANDMOTHER has been banned from the roads after being caught behind the wheel with 800 mcg of a cocaine metabolite in her system.

Eleri Phillips, 57, was stopped by police in the early hours of December 18 as she drove her Audi Q5 along Derwent Avenue, Steynton.

A roadside drugs swipe proved positive, and further blood tests carried out at the police station showed she had 45 mcg of cocaine in her system and 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite.

The legal limits are 10 mcg and 50 mcg respectively.

Phillips, of Brook Close, Steynton, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. She was legally represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher.

“She is absolutely ashamed of what has happened,” Mr Kelleher told the court.

“She had been out with friends that evening and someone offered her cocaine. Very foolishly, she took it.

“As a result, she is now going to be disqualified from driving, which is going to cause problems not only for her but for her family, as she regularly helps look after her grandchildren with general pick-ups from school.”

Phillips was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £120. She must also pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Crime

Milford Haven builder banned for second drug-driving offence

Published

4 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Court hears cannabis reading was five times the legal limit

A SELF-EMPLOYED builder has been banned from the road after committing his second drug-driving offence in ten years.

Robert Duncan, 44, was stopped by police at around 6:00pm on January 31 as he drove a Ford Focus along Steynton Road, Milford Haven.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that officers had been observing the vehicle before requesting it to stop.

Duncan provided a positive roadside drugs wipe, and later blood tests showed he had 10mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told magistrates that this was Duncan’s second drug-driving offence within ten years.

Duncan, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drug-driving.

He was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher, who said Duncan had believed the drug would have left his system by the time he got behind the wheel.

“He believed the drug would have been out of his system when he was driving, but it can take a considerable length of time to go,” said Mr Kelleher.

“In fact, this is the drug that takes the longest amount of time.”

Mr Kelleher said Duncan worked as a self-employed builder, but was currently unable to work large amounts of time because of family commitments.

Magistrates disqualified Duncan from driving for three years. He was also fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £32 surcharge.