Crime

On trial for multiple historical sexual offences

Published

2 years ago

February 15, 2024

THIS week at Swansea Crown Court, Kevin Offland, a 45-year-old man from Nichols Road, Great Yarmouth, stands accused of a series of grave sexual offences spanning over two decades. The charges include 18 sexual offences purported to have occurred in the Pembrokeshire and Shrewsbury areas between 1998 and 2021.

The allegations against Offland are severe and numerous, consisting of three counts of rape involving three separate complainants, one charge of raping a child, a charge of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and 13 charges of sexual activity with a child, specifically relating to two girls.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Offland had provided prepared statements to both West Mercia Police and Dyfed-Powys Police in response to the accusations. Mr Davies, the prosecutor, presented these statements to the jury, shedding light on Offland’s stance regarding the allegations.

In an interview dated January 29, 2019, Offland firmly denied the accusations, stating, “I deny the allegations made against me. I did not rape [the child] in 2010, nor have I ever had any sexual activity with the child.” He further claimed that the complainant had “lied” about the incidents.

Further interviews with Offland were conducted in May 2019 regarding the first two rape allegations, where he reiterated his denial, stating, “I vehemently deny any assaults, sexual or otherwise. I further deny raping either of the complainants.”

The court also heard about an interview with Dyfed-Powys Police on December 5, 2022, in which Offland continued to deny the allegations made by two teenage complainants, stating, “In relation to the allegations made against me by the two teenage complainants, I deny these in their entirety. I do not have anything to add to my interview on August 13, 2021.”

DC Duggan, the case officer for Dyfed-Powys Police, was asked about the referenced interview on August 13, where she confirmed to the jury that Offland had responded with no comment to all questions at that time.

Additionally, on December 5, 2022, Offland addressed an allegation of rape in Pembrokeshire in 2014, emphatically stating, “I, Kevin Offland, never drugged or raped [the complainant].”

This case continues to attract attention as the jury deliberates on the evidence presented. The allegations span a considerable period, reflecting the serious nature of the charges Offland faces. The trial is ongoing, with the legal proceedings carefully scrutinized by both the public and media.

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

3 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

4 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.

Crime

Haverfordwest pair accused of £80,000 rogue trading frauds

Published

4 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

TWO men from a Haverfordwest traveller family have been described in court as “rogue traders” following a series of alleged frauds totalling almost £80,000.

Billy Alfred Gary Lovell, 38, and Timothy Dean Lovell, 36, both of Under the Hills, Merlins Bridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

They are accused of offences linked to ground clearance and gardening work in Mathry, Sardis and two addresses in Carmarthenshire.

Prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Trading Standards Department, barrister Harry Dickens told the court: “These men have to be described as rogue traders.”

Billy Lovell faces 16 charges, including fraud by false representation, fraud by failing to disclose information, and unfair commercial practices.

The most serious allegation relates to Diana and Martin Hearnshaw, of Sardis. It is alleged that between January 30, 2022, and January 16, 2025, Billy Lovell dishonestly represented that he would complete clearance and gardening works worth £71,631, but failed to carry out work to that value.

He is also accused of offences involving Richard Gardner, of Penygroes, Carmarthenshire, Irene Williams, of Mathry, and Daniel Watts, of Ty Croes, Carmarthenshire.

Timothy Lovell faces ten charges arising from alleged incidents involving Richard Gardner and Irene Williams.

The allegations include claims that the defendants failed to provide accurate invoices, receipts, written contractual terms, cancellation rights and refund information. Some charges also allege that aggressive commercial practices were used, including harassment, coercion or undue influence.

No pleas were recorded. Because of the seriousness of the allegations, District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction.

The case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on June 12.

Both defendants were granted conditional bail. They must not contact prosecution witnesses directly or indirectly, must live and sleep each night at their respective addresses in Under the Hills, Merlins Bridge, and must not undertake any gardening or landscaping work.