Crime
Dock newsagent worker ‘had sexual images of children as young as four’
A FORMER employee of a local newsagent in Pembroke Dock has been brought before the court, facing severe allegations involving the possession of indecent images of children and engaging in inappropriate conversations with a minor. Daniel Byrne-Crowley, 28, vehemently denies the accusations levelled against him, which include three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of sexual communication with a child.
Prosecutors allege that Byrne-Crowley possessed images depicting children as young as four being sexually abused. Among the evidence presented, one image was categorised as Category A, the most severe, alongside 11 Category B images and 10 Category C images. The disturbing content is said to have been accumulated between August 2012 and September 2020, with the defendant also accused of engaging in sexually explicit conversations with a 10-year-old during a period stretching from June 2019 to September 2020.
The court heard from Prosecutor Helen Randall that a raid on Byrne-Crowley’s residence on Bush Street in Pembroke Dock on 28 October 2020 led to the seizure of two mobile phones, a MacBook computer, and an iPad. Examination of these devices revealed 23 child abuse images, one of which was inaccessible. Disturbingly, the images included scenes of a boy aged between four and six being sexually abused by an adult, and a video of three naked boys, aged between 10 and 14, in sexually explicit acts.
Further investigations uncovered conversations that Byrne-Crowley had with other adults discussing indecent images, masturbation, and oral sex. Randall highlighted one particularly alarming admission by Byrne-Crowley where he recounted working at a children’s summer camp in America, observing children naked and teaching them to masturbate.
During police interviews, Byrne-Crowley claimed ignorance of how the images appeared on his devices but admitted to conversing with the child, seeing no wrongdoing in his actions. The prosecution argues that Byrne-Crowley deliberately sought out these images, with Randall stating, “The prosecution say it could only be him and it is obvious from his conversations with others that it was him.” The trial continues.
Crime
Police appeal following assault outside Haverfordwest store
POLICE in Pembrokeshire are investigating an assault that happened outside B&M stores, Haverfordwest, at about 6.30pm on Tuesday, April 23.
The suspect is described as a teenage male wearing a balaclava and a cast on his wrist. He is believed to have left the location in a silver car.
The victim did not sustain any injuries.
The police have asked for assistance. Anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation is asked to get in touch with PC 1296 Clarke, either by:
| https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline
| Direct message us on social media
| 101
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
Crime
Businessman to stand trial for assault and strangulation
A HAVERFORDWEST businessman is to stand trial at Swansea Crown Court in September after denying charges of assaulting and strangling a woman
Appearing from custody, Oliver Torkington, 38, of Pembroke Road, appeared at the court for a plea hearing on April 26 where he pleaded not guilty.
Torkington is alleged to have assaulted a woman in St Clears on March 23, causing her actual bodily harm.
He is also accused of strangling her.
Crime
Arrested Pembroke Dock man jailed after hospital escape attempt
- Ashley Rickard, claimed he was entitled to flee custody at Withybush Hospital, believing he hadn’t committed the alleged offences.
IB a dramatic turn of events at Withybush Hospital, Pembroke Dock resident Ashley Rickard, 26, of Elizabeth Court, made a failed bid for freedom, resulting in a 27-week prison sentence. The incident occurred shortly after Rickard, who was under arrest for a series of alleged crimes, managed to break free from his handcuffs.
Prosecutor Georgia Donohue detailed the events leading up to the escape during the trial. Rickard had been apprehended at his grandmother’s home on December 4, suspected of offences that included burglary, making threats to kill, and criminal damage. Following his arrest, Rickard complained of ingesting a substance, believed to be Valium, which necessitated medical attention at Withybush Hospital.
While at the hospital, despite being handcuffed and flanked by police, Rickard succeeded in freeing one hand and fled as he was escorted through the hospital doors. His flight took him across the car park and into a nearby housing estate, though he was captured the following day hiding at his grandmother’s residence.
Defence barrister Harry Dickens conveyed Rickard’s belief that he had been wrongfully detained, claiming this perception fueled his decision to escape. However, Judge Paul Thomas KC dismissed this justification, stating, “If everyone did that there would be chaos. Anarchy would ensue.”
Despite the dramatic circumstances, Rickard’s escape was described by Mr. Dickens as “not a sophisticated attempt,” noting that Rickard had acted alone and returned to a familiar location.
On the day set for his trial, Rickard pleaded guilty to escaping lawful custody, a plea accepted by the prosecution as witnesses for the other charges were not supportive. The court subsequently entered formal not guilty verdicts for the remaining allegations.
The episode has reignited discussions on the security measures in place for handling detainees at medical facilities and the broader implications of individuals taking justice into their own hands.
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