Crime
Police urge teenage girls in Wales to report sexual harassment
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/BTP.jpg)
BRITISH Transport Police is today (Wednesday 29 May) releasing new statistics that suggest sexual harassment is underreported by teenage girls in Wales. Also today, Lex Gibbon, 19, recounts her experience of harassment in new single.
Crime statistics released today show that:
- In 2022, 663 teenage girls reported sexual offences or harassment to British Transport Police.
- In 2023 in Wales, this number fell from 28 to 21 reports, a 33% decrease.
Police believe that many incidents are still going unreported, and that many people are not aware that you can report any type of sexual behaviour that makes you uncomfortable.
One of the real stories behind the statistics is brought to life in Lex Gibbon’s new single, ‘Audacity’. Lex wrote the song after a man followed her through an underground train station, verbally abused her and touched her.
At the time, Lex had not heard of British Transport Police’s text 61016 service and did not report the incident. Lex later discovered text 61016 and approached British Transport Police to collaborate on the launch of her single to raise awareness.
Police believe that many girls have experienced similar behaviour and, like Lex, are unaware that it can be reported to police. As shown in the song’s lyrics, police believe that many girls blame themselves for what happened. Today, officers are reassuring victims that sexual harassment is never their fault and urging everyone to save text 61016 in their phone.
Lex Gibbon said: “I was followed through an underground train station by a man who made me feel extremely unsafe, scared and vulnerable.
“At the time I had no idea that text 61016 existed. I believe it’s really important to help women feel safer on public transport, so when I wrote ‘Audacity’ about my experience I felt it could really raise awareness for the initiative.
“I’ve now reported and spent a day with British Transport Police, and I’ve seen how seriously they take sexual harassment.
“If someone does this to me again, I’ll be texting it in. Please save 61016 in your phone and use it to report this sort of creepy behaviour.”
British Transport Police Assistant Chief Constable Paul Furnell said: “The man’s behaviour as described by Lex is completely unacceptable. I want everyone to know that acting like this on the rail network has serious consequences.
“As well as our uniformed and plain clothes officers, 150,000 CCTV cameras and your fellow passengers are watching you.
“We’re receiving more and more reports about sexual harassment, as people have had enough of this disgusting behaviour and know we prioritise tackling it. We use reports from multiple passengers to secure the strongest possible sentences for sex offenders.
“Sadly, we know that many women feel that they have no option but to put up with sexual harassment. That’s not the case: if someone is persistently bothering you and makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, please text 61016 to report it.
“Our officers are on patrol 24/7 and can meet trains at the next station. If it happens on the tube and you don’t have signal, you can speak to staff or text us at the next station.
“Nothing is too small to report and sexual harassment is never your fault. Save text 61016 in your phone today”.
Siwan Hayward, TfL’s Director of Security, Policing and Enforcement, said: “We are deeply sorry that Lex experienced this horrific incident on our network. The safety of women and girls is an absolute priority for us and we are committed to tackling sexual harassment, working closely with the police to make our capital’s transport network a hostile place for offenders.
“We are actively promoting the importance of reporting crimes that we know are underreported, and welcome the increase in reporting of sexual offences as evidence that more women and girls and bystanders have the confidence to come forward and report experiences, knowing that they will be taken seriously and that offenders will be pursued. We encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses this behaviour to report it to the police or a member of staff so that we can take action against offenders and put the right measures in place to prevent this from happening.”
Listen to Audacity here: https://collect.wetransfer.com/board/slw1b24i1i4x0o9n320240409172645
How to report
Every report is important. See it or experience it, you can report anything that makes you uncomfortable by text 61016, via the Railway Guardian app or by calling 0800 40 50 40.
Click here to save text 61016 in your phone today: https://qr1.be/X0RR
You can also report past incidents and anonymously report sexual offences at btp.police.uk.
In an emergency, always call 999.
Crime
Man escapes immediate jail after Swansea bar assault
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/swansea-crown-court-e1706291996894.jpg)
A SWANSEA man, Rickey Lewis, 33, from Strand Mews, has avoided an immediate prison sentence despite pleading guilty to an assault that left his victim, from Pembrokeshire, with a permanent scar. The attack took place at the Cross Keys Public House in Swansea on July 2 of last year.
Lewis, who has 12 previous convictions, including for affray and domestic assault in 2019, was involved in a confrontation that escalated into violence. CCTV footage revealed Lewis repeatedly attempting to strike the victim, continuing his assault even after an initial blow, until pub staff intervened. Although it remains unclear whether a glass was used, broken glass was found on the floor near the scene.
The victim sustained a cut to the head, resulting in a permanent one-inch scar. Although the bleeding subsided within 15 minutes and the victim did not seek medical treatment, the injury has left lasting psychological effects. The court heard that the victim now suffers from fear of being followed, disturbed sleep, and a loss of appetite, all of which have significantly impacted their daily life.
While the injury was considered relatively minor, the permanence of the scar and the victim’s ongoing psychological trauma placed the case within the lower range of Category 2 offenses.
In mitigation, Lewis’ defence highlighted several factors, including his early guilty plea, which demonstrated his acceptance of responsibility. His defence also argued that Lewis has been addressing his alcohol problems, which he admitted contributed to his “moment of stupidity and madness” on the night of the incident. Since the assault, Lewis has reportedly taken steps to manage both his alcohol intake and his temper.
The court also heard about the detrimental impact the case has had on Lewis’ family. As the primary breadwinner, Lewis faces the risk of eviction should he be unable to work. His relationship with his 15-year-old daughter has also deteriorated due to the legal proceedings, and he expressed a desire to rebuild that bond and become a more responsible father.
Despite the gravity of the offense and Lewis’ criminal record, the court acknowledged his efforts to reform and the significant consequences his imprisonment would have on his family. As a result, Lewis was sentenced to 24 weeks in custody, suspended for 18 months.
During this suspension period, Lewis is required to complete 225 hours of unpaid work and attend 20 rehabilitation days, focusing on anger management and alcohol abuse. The court emphasized that the suspended sentence provides Lewis an opportunity to avoid immediate imprisonment and make positive changes in his life. However, any failure to comply with these conditions would result in serious consequences, including the activation of his custodial sentence.
Crime
Predator faces jail after admitting to historical child abuse
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/swansea-crown-court-e1706291996894.jpg)
A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been warned that he faces a prison sentence after admitting to a series of child sex offences spanning over two decades.
Mark Ford, 65, of Ambleston, appeared at Swansea Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to multiple charges of indecent assault and sexual misconduct involving three young victims. The offences occurred over a 24-year period, from the late 1990s to as recently as last year.
Ford was charged with a total of 10 historical child sex offences. These included three counts of indecent assault against a teenage girl between 1999 and 2001. He also faced charges of indecency with a child and two counts of indecent assault against a second girl, who was under 14 years old, between 2000 and 2003.
More recently, Ford was accused of sexually assaulting a third child, as well as causing that child to watch a sexual act on two separate occasions, with these offences taking place between 2022 and 2023.
In court, Ford admitted to one count of indecent assault against the first child, indecency with a child and indecent assault against the second victim, and both offences of causing a child to watch a sexual act, as well as one count of sexual assault against the third child. He denied the remaining charges.
Prosecutor James Hartson told the court that these admissions were deemed acceptable, and no trial would be pursued for the charges Ford had denied. “Justice can be done by accepting those pleas,” Mr Hartson said, confirming that the charges reflected Ford’s offending against all three victims.
Judge Huw Rees adjourned sentencing to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. In the meantime, Ford has been readmitted to bail but will return to court on October 18 for sentencing. He has also been placed on the sex offenders’ register.
Addressing the defendant in court, Judge Rees issued a stark warning: “Quite clearly, these sentences pass the custody threshold. You should prepare yourself for a period of imprisonment.”
Ford’s sentencing will determine the extent of the punishment for crimes that have caused significant harm to his victims over many years.
Crime
Woman with complex mental health needs spat at police officers
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/swansea-crown-court-e1706291996894.jpg)
Rose Voon, a 40-year-old woman from Aberystwyth, was sentenced today at Swansea Crown Court to three months in prison for two charges of assaulting an emergency worker. The sentences will run concurrently, and due to the five months she has already spent on remand at Eastwood Park prison, she was ordered to be released immediately following the hearing.
The case revolved around an incident on April 1, when Voon, while in custody at a police station in Aberystwyth, became aggressive, swore, and spat at two police officers and a nurse.
The entire incident was captured on CCTV. Although no physical injuries were reported, one of the officers, PC Heron, expressed significant discomfort and concern over the potential health risks associated with being spat on.
Voon, who is diagnosed as having multiple personality disorder, had been at the police station following an earlier unrelated arrest. She had a stress-induced mental health episode during that arrest, leading to her actions.
During sentencing, His Honour Judge Huw Rees emphasised the complexity of Voon’s situation, citing her extensive history of mental health challenges.
Voon’s defence team urged the court to consider these factors, arguing that she required appropriate support upon her release.
They advocated for her placement in a secure environment where she could access the necessary treatment.
The court was informed that, two days before the hearing, an assessment had been conducted to identify suitable accommodation for Voon.
However, the court also heard that no placement was currently available, and it could take several months before one becomes accessible.
The probation service recommended a limited community order focused on rehabilitation activities, acknowledging the necessity for Voon to transition from her current residence to assisted living.
Judge Rees, however, noted the lack of a clear plan for effectively managing Voon’s needs within the community.
He expressed doubt that a community order with rehabilitation activities would be sufficient, given her complex mental health issues. Despite this, he recognised the immediate need for her release due to the time she had already served in custody.
Voon’s situation remains precarious; while she requires a secure environment, such as supported accommodation, but none is currently available to her.
In his closing remarks, Judge Rees described Voon as an “extremely vulnerable individual” who had suffered significantly due to circumstances beyond her control.
He expressed hope that upon her release, she would return to her accommodation in Aberystwyth and continue working with her community mental health team and social worker.
Voon offered apologies via her counsel to all parties involved in the incident, acknowledging her misconduct and expressing remorse. She was advised to personally apologise to the officers she had assaulted if the opportunity arose.
The judge concluded by warning Voon that repeated offences could lead to longer sentences in the future. He expressed his hope that she would cooperate with those trying to help her and make the necessary changes to avoid further legal trouble. A statutory surcharge was applied, payable within six months.
Voon is expected to return to Aberystwyth, where arrangements are being made to ensure she remains in a supportive and secure environment until better residential support can be provided—support that she urgently needs.
However, the case raises a critical question: why was a person with such complex mental health issues charged and jailed for a minor offence, rather than being provided with the support she so clearly needed? Her incarceration has led to a deterioration in her mental health, including her being seriously assaulted in prison.
When asked why she had pleaded guilty to the two charges of assaulting an emergency worker, Voon revealed that she didn’t even realise she had, raising concerns about her ability to follow the legal proceedings or understand why she was in jail in the first place.
The evidence presented in court indicated that she had no memory of the incident.
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