Crime
Independent inquiry into child sex abuse commissioned by Caldey

WE have reported on this story for years, but in a very significant development this week, Caldey Island Abbey has taken a decisive step by commissioning an independent review. It is to investigate allegations of historical child sex abuse. The announcement was made by Father Jan Rossey, the superior of the Abbey, underscoring a commitment to addressing historical concerns.
Leading the inquiry is Jan Pickles, a former assistant police and crime commissioner with South Wales Police. This move comes after persistent demands for a thorough examination of the allegations, particularly those voiced by Kevin O’Connell, who has been at the forefront of campaigning for justice since 2019. O’Connell, alongside other alleged victims, claims to have suffered abuse on Caldey, a serene isle off Tenby’s coast in Pembrokeshire.
Kevin O’Connell expressed cautious optimism regarding the announcement, viewing it as a significant, albeit initial, step forward. His relentless advocacy through the Caldey Island Survivors’ Campaign, which he established, has been instrumental in bringing these issues to light.
The inquiry also sees Maria Battle, the former deputy children’s commissioner for Wales, stepping in as the safeguarding lead. Battle stated that the inquiry is currently in the phase of “awaiting outcomes,” with an emphasis on transparency and public disclosure of the findings. She relayed Father Jan’s hope to engage with all affected parties, reinforcing the Abbey’s openness to listening and learning from these experiences.
Father Jan Rossey addressed the gravity of the allegations, acknowledging that Caldey Abbey has faced disclosures and allegations in the past regarding inappropriate behaviour of some monastic community members towards children. He affirmed the Abbey’s unwavering dedication to creating and maintaining a safe environment for visitors, residents, and employees alike, through the implementation of robust safeguarding measures.
This inquiry follows a troubling backdrop, notably the case of Father Thaddeus Kotik. Kotik passed away in 1992 without facing charges, despite accusations of abusing children between 1977 and 1982. In March 2017, six of Kotik’s alleged victims received compensation from Caldey Abbey in an out-of-court settlement, with more individuals coming forward since then.
The Abbey’s decision to embark on this independent review marks a pivotal moment in its history, reflecting a broader acknowledgment within institutions of the need to confront and rectify historical injustices.
Crime
Bridgend man masterminded national phishing scam

A MAN from Bridgend has been identified as the mastermind behind a national phishing scam that sought to harvest personal data from unsuspecting victims.
An investigation led by Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales, uncovered that 22-year-old Blaine Flatt, of Broadlands, Bridgend, created a fraudulent website designed to mimic Amazon’s official page. The scam was commissioned by Ewan McGavin, 31, from Horwich, Bolton, who intended to use the fake site to steal sensitive information from members of the public.
Flatt, who pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including making or supplying articles for use in frauds, was sentenced in February 2024. He received a two-year suspended custodial sentence and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
Meanwhile, McGavin, who was out of the country during his co-conspirator’s trial, was arrested upon his return to the UK and remanded in custody. Following a trial, he was found guilty on January 10, 2025, and has now been sentenced to 30 months in prison for intentionally encouraging or assisting in the commission of an offence.
Temporary Detective Sergeant Jack Harris, of Tarian, said: “I hope this case demonstrates to cyber criminals and fraudsters operating in the UK that you will be pursued by us and brought to justice. This type of offending can cause serious harm and distress to members of the public who are unfortunate enough to be targeted by phishing scams.”
He urged people to be vigilant against phishing scams, where criminals use fake websites or emails to trick victims into revealing personal or financial information. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) provides advice on staying safe online at NCSC.GOV.UK.
“If you believe you may have been affected by a phishing website or email, report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk,” he added.
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Crime
Man charged after cannabis farm raid in Carmarthen

POLICE have seized cannabis plants worth an estimated £380,000 following a raid on a property in Carmarthen.
Officers executed a warrant at an address on Old Llangunnor Road yesterday (Feb 4), uncovering a large-scale cannabis cultivation operation. A total of 394 plants were seized from the premises, with police estimating their street value to be approximately £380,000.
A man, identified as 32-year-old Nurdin Hoxha, was arrested at the scene and later charged with the production of a controlled Class B drug—cannabis.
Hoxha, believed to Albanian, was remanded in custody and appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court this morning (Feb 5).
Following this latest raid, a police spokesperson they committed to tackling illegal drug production and the organised crime linked to it.
Investigations are ongoing, and officers have urged anyone with information regarding drug-related activity in their community to contact the police on 101.
(Image: File)
Crime
Wales hit hard by dating scams as romance fraud tops £400 million

Dyfed-Powys sees biggest rise in cases
PREDATORY dating scammers have cost the UK public more than £400 million in financial losses over the past five years, according to reports from Action Fraud.
Data compiled by Action Fraud Claims Advice—a private service separate from the national reporting centre—reveals that nearly 40,000 crime reports were submitted between January 2020 and December 2024. Wales featured prominently, with close to 1,900 reports originating from the country.
Dyfed-Powys sees sharpest rise in dating scams
Dyfed-Powys recorded 472 reports of romance fraud over five years, making it one of the most affected areas in Wales. The region saw 72 reports in 2020, a figure that surged to 118 the following year. Since then, cases have remained in the 90s, with 98 in 2022, 91 in 2023, and 93 in 2024.
The 29% increase in cases between 2020 and 2024 was the highest in Wales, ahead of South Wales, which saw a 24% rise in reports.
South Wales recorded 662 cases over five years—more than any other Welsh police force area. Reports fluctuated, with 120 in 2020, 145 in 2021, two consecutive years of 124 cases, and a rise to 149 in 2024.
North Wales followed closely behind, with 468 reports. Unlike other regions, 2023 was the worst year for romance fraud, with 108 reports—a sharp rise from 85 the year before.
Gwent Police received 291 reports over the five-year period. Numbers fluctuated, with 56 reports in 2020, rising to 68 in 2021, dropping to 47 in 2022, then climbing back to 65 in 2023 before falling to 55 in 2024. Gwent was one of only six UK regions where reports decreased compared to 2020.
Wales’ figures compared to the UK
Greater London saw the highest number of romance fraud reports, with 5,168 cases over five years. Other hotspots included:
- West Midlands (1,550 reports)
- Sussex (1,451 reports)
- Thames Valley (1,401 reports)
A total of 39 out of 48 police forces saw a rise of at least 10% in romance fraud cases between 2020 and 2024. Reports in Northern Ireland and Scotland increased by a third over the same period.
The UK-wide average per police region was 813 reports over five years, meaning all Welsh areas fell below the national average. However, excluding Greater London and cases with unknown origins (4,117 reports), the average was 651—just 11 fewer than South Wales’ 662 cases.
Victims losing over £10,000 on average
The financial impact of romance fraud is staggering, with total estimated losses exceeding £409 million.
In 2021, the highest number of reports (8,678) was recorded, with victims losing a combined £87,694,153—an average of £10,105 per person. While case numbers have since fluctuated, 2024 saw an increase, with 8,548 reports filed, marking a rise of 465 cases from the previous year and 708 from 2022.
Financial losses have also surged. In 2020, reported losses totalled £66,339,032, averaging £9,884 per case. By 2024, this had climbed to £92,215,871, with an average loss of £10,788 per victim—an increase of nearly 40% over five years.
Though scammers may target vulnerable individuals around Valentine’s Day, the data suggests romance fraud is a year-round threat. Reports between 14 February and 14 March only exceeded the monthly average once, in 2021, when complaints surged to nearly 27 per day.
Shocking figures reveal no one is safe
The data highlights that romance scams affect people across all demographics.
Of the 35,000 reports where gender was recorded, 51% of victims identified as female (17,956), while 49% were male (17,032).
Middle-aged individuals were the most frequent victims:
- 50-59-year-olds: 7,393 cases
- 40-49-year-olds: 6,445 cases
However, all age groups were represented, including 73 victims aged 90-99 and one victim over 100 years old.
Disturbingly, 53 victims were under the age of 10, and a further 1,472 were under 20. Experts warn that this is symptomatic of a growing epidemic of online child exploitation. The NSPCC reported in September that counselling requests for online grooming and sextortion have risen sharply.
“Romance fraud is a devastating crime”
Victim Support, an independent charity, emphasised the emotional damage inflicted by romance fraud.
Lisa Mills, Senior Fraud Manager at Victim Support, said: “Romance fraud is a devastating crime. For victims, it isn’t just about losing money. The psychological and emotional impact of being deceived by someone you trusted deeply can severely damage confidence and self-worth.
“Sadly, many victims feel too embarrassed to confide in friends or family, leaving them even more isolated.
“If you have been a victim, you are not to blame—fraudsters are skilled manipulators who deceive thousands each year. Get in touch with Victim Support for free, confidential help via our 24/7 Supportline (08 08 16 89 111) or live chat service.”
The UK government hopes new measures under the Online Safety Act 2023 will encourage tech firms to better protect users. Ofcom issued its first guidelines on tackling fraud in December, with fraud listed as a “priority” crime that social media and search platforms must actively work to prevent.
Where to get help
Victims of romance fraud can report cases to Action Fraud by visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.
Action Fraud Claims Advice offers free support and fraud recovery assistance for victims seeking to reclaim lost funds.
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