Crime
Crown Court backlog at a record high, Victims’ Commissioner warns

THE VICTIMS’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove, has voiced profound concern over the escalating backlog of cases in the Crown Court, which has surged to a record 67,573 outstanding cases. This latest figure not only signifies a 1% increase from the previous quarter but also marks a staggering 65% rise from pre-pandemic levels and a near double increase since June 2019.
Baroness Newlove, reflecting on the dire statistics, emphasized the intolerable delays victims are facing, often stretching to years, before their cases are heard in court. With 27% of all outstanding cases now pending for over a year, the situation has reached a critical point, resulting in unprecedented strain on victims and the frontline services supporting them.
The duration from the receipt to the completion of cases at the Crown Court remains significantly above pre-pandemic figures, showcasing an 82% increase from the end of March 2020 and an 84% rise from the end of June 2019. Specifically troubling is the average completion time for rape cases, which now stands at 393 days, surpassing all previous records and highlighting a 52% increase from before the pandemic.
The Victims’ Commissioner pointed out the growing burden on victim services and the potential for increasing numbers of victims to withdraw from the process due to prolonged wait times. The statistics reveal a 14% victim withdrawal rate post-charge in the latest quarter, coupled with 26% of cases being adjourned on the day of trial, further exacerbating the challenges faced by those seeking justice.
Baroness Newlove criticized the apparent systemic issues within the judicial process, noting that despite a 4% decrease in new case volumes, the backlog continues to rise, with completed cases also experiencing a decline. This situation underscores the critical need for systemic reforms to address the inefficiencies plaguing the court system, ensuring that victims do not continue to suffer from prolonged delays in obtaining justice.
As the Crown Court backlog hits another record high, the call for urgent action to alleviate the pressure on victims and the judicial system has never been more pressing, with justice delayed increasingly equating to justice denied.
Crime
Tenby man cleared of bleach attack charges

DEAN McCARTNEY, 29, of Newell Hill, Tenby, has been found not guilty of intending to maim or disfigure another man by throwing bleach.
McCartney appeared at Swansea Crown Court accused of two charges: throwing bleach with intent to burn, maim, or disfigure, and wounding with intent, following an incident in Narberth on September 5. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and had been in custody awaiting trial.
At an earlier hearing, defence counsel David Singh argued that a witness described the complainant as “clearly the aggressor.”
After reviewing the evidence, prosecutor Alycia Carpanini confirmed that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) would offer no evidence on either charge. Judge Huw Rees expressed concern over delays, stating, “This defendant has been in custody throughout. This is concerning, isn’t it?”
The judge entered not guilty verdicts and confirmed McCartney’s release, adding: “You should be released as soon as possible, subject to prison regulations.”
Crime
Couple falsely claimed £13,000 in Universal Credit

TWO parents have been handed suspended sentences after dishonestly claiming more than £13,000 in Universal Credit by failing to report that their children had been taken into care.
Swansea Crown Court heard that Niomi Woodhouse, 31, of Maes Hafren, Eglwyswrw, and John Simon, 35, of London Road, Pembroke Dock, continued to claim benefits as if they were caring for their two children, despite the children being taken into care in February 2020.
Prosecutor Harry Dickens explained that the couple had been receiving Universal Credit due to health issues preventing them from working. Woodhouse informed the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in June 2021 that she was the lead carer for two children, explicitly stating they were living at home.
However, an investigation by Pembrokeshire County Council revealed that both children had been placed into care more than a year earlier. Over the course of this period, the couple had over 100 interactions with the DWP but failed to disclose the change in circumstances, resulting in an overpayment of £13,228.78.
During interviews, Woodhouse claimed she was waiting for a social worker’s assistance to report the change, while Simon admitted he assumed the matter had been handled by Woodhouse but did not verify it himself.
The pair pleaded guilty at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on September 10 to dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting their entitlement to Universal Credit. The court was told they had no previous convictions, and the overpaid money is being recovered through deductions from their benefits, eliminating the need for Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings.
Judge Huw Rees described their actions as “thorough dishonesty” and emphasised the broader impact on the economy. Sentencing them to 10 weeks in custody, suspended for a year, he also imposed additional requirements tailored to each defendant.
Woodhouse must complete a six-month drug rehabilitation programme and 20 rehabilitation activity days. Simon was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.
“I’m content that this money is going to be received from you,” Judge Rees concluded.
The case highlights the importance of promptly reporting changes in circumstances to the DWP to ensure benefits are correctly allocated.
Community
Only three anti-social behaviour warnings in Haverfordwest in two years

DESCRIBED as a “waste of taxpayers’ money”, a protection order introduced in the centre of Haverfordwest to tackle antisocial behaviour has been “an unnecessary tool” which only resulted in three warnings in two years.
Prior to its backing in mid-2022, a plan to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Haverfordwest town centre had been under discussion for some time, with a public consultation on the matter, as well as previous debates by Pembrokeshire County Council.
The proposals were brought by the town’s then five county councillors, initially prompted by anti-social behaviour and drinking issues at the skate park but later expanded to a large part of the town centre, and were developed in partnership with Dyfed-Powys Police.
Claims had previously been made that “gangs of feral children are roaming around town”, with members of the public subject to verbal and physical abuse in Haverfordwest, and a “criminal element” dealing drugs in the town.
The PSPO gives police and PCSOs additional powers for three years to issue a fixed penalty notice of £100 if someone fails to comply with a request to cease consumption of intoxicating substances in a designated area.
At the time, Cllr Jacob Williams said on “civil liberties grounds” he was shocked to see what was being proposed.
“I think this is way over the top and not a proportionate response,” he said.
The PSPO area includes the Withybush retail area, the river alongside Morrisons, Barn Street, Horsefair roundabout, Rifleman Field, skatepark, Fortunes Frolic and out to the train station.
The December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council received a submitted question by Independent Group leader Cllr Huw Murphy, who had opposed the scheme.
“At full council on July 14, 2022 a decision was made to implement a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) within certain areas of Haverfordwest.
“A Partnership Panel held on May 23, 2024, received confirmation that since this PSPO was implemented there have been no prosecutions or fixed penalties issued. There was a cost implication in implementing this PSPO for PCC, money that we can ill afford to spend when ample legislation exists for dealing with antisocial behaviour.
“Therefore, can it be agreed that in future such applications are given greater scrutiny to avoid further waste of taxpayers’ money and what actually reduces antisocial behaviour is increased pro-active policing not more legislation?”
Responding to Cllr Murphy’s question Cllr Williams, now Cabinet Member for Planning & Regulatory Services, said he agreed with the questioner.
“Cllr Murphy and I were among several who opposed this introduction, among the things I said was I was aghast at this proposal which had snowballed; I would’ve been in support around the skate park rather than the town.”
He added: “The way the council was proceeding was not justified and I voted against it; as Cllr Murphy’s question states there have been no prosecutions, but on three occasions police have warned people about offences.”
Cllr Williams said any potential renewing of the order – up for review next year – would go to scrutiny committee before coming before council, “should there be an appetite for this PSPO to be renewed”.
He concluded: “It could be argued there’s no prosecutions so it’s worked; but only three persons have been warned [by police], I think that paints a story that it was probably not only was not a success but probably a tool that was not necessary.”
-
Top News3 days ago
Pembrokeshire man jailed after repeatedly punching pregnant wife
-
Top News2 days ago
Police investigate dogs seen persistently chasing sheep on Pembrokeshire airfield
-
News6 days ago
Thai mother’s harrowing 999 call: “I felt like a robot, I felt twisted, I killed my son”
-
Entertainment6 days ago
Reef’s 30th Anniversary Tour hits Tenby in 2025
-
News4 days ago
Dyfed-Powys Police launches attempted murder investigation
-
Crime6 days ago
Thai mother sentenced to hospital order for killing son
-
News4 days ago
Heroes of the storm: How Council workers rallied during rare red wind warning
-
Business5 days ago
Ferry traffic surges at Pembroke Dock due to Holyhead closure