Crime
Haverfordwest man denies sexual assaults on boys under nine
A 41-YEAR-OLD Haverfordwest man has appeared before magistrates charged with sexually assaulting a boy under 13 on at least 44 separate occasions.
Andrew James is accused of assaulting a boy, aged four to six, by sexual touching on at least 36 occasions between March 10, 2021 and August 7, 2023; assaulting a boy aged three to nine, by sexual touching on at least four occasions between July 22, 2017 and August 7, 2023 and a third charge of assaulting a boy aged three to nine, by sexual touching on at least four occasions between July 22, 2017 and August 7, 2023. The offences are alleged to have taken place in Haverfordwest.
Andrew James, of Redhill Park, Haverfordwest, denied all three charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday.
Following a request by the Crown Prosecution, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the matter will now proceed at Swansea Crown Court on July 30.
James was released on conditional bail, the conditions being that he has no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 18, that he does not enter the property where the offences are alleged to have taken place and that he lives and sleeps at his residential address.
Crime
Arrests made after large-scale cannabis operation raided in Pembroke Dock
POLICE in Pembroke Dock have uncovered yet another large-scale cannabis operation, as part of an ongoing clampdown on illegal farms in the area. On Monday (Nov 4), Dyfed-Powys Police executed a search warrant at a property on Dimond Street, where officers found over 500 cannabis plants in a sophisticated cultivation setup.
Two men, aged 26 and 34, have been arrested in connection with the investigation and are currently in police custody. The raid follows a series of similar operations in Pembrokeshire, targeting properties used for illegal drug cultivation.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Crime
Bin lorry driver banned after “squishing” man in road rage incident
RHYS GRIFFITHS, a former bin lorry driver, has been banned from driving after injuring a man by colliding with his car door during a road confrontation on St Issels Avenue, Haverfordwest, on 22 February 2023.
Swansea Crown Court heard from Prosecutor Harry Dickens that Griffiths, 32, accelerated towards the victim’s vehicle, stopping bumper-to-bumper. Following a brief verbal exchange, the victim turned back to his car, only to hear Griffiths rev his engine, mount the kerb, and strike the driver-side door, pinning the man against his own car. Though the victim felt pain in his thighs, he did not require medical attention, and only minor damage was reported to the car.
Griffiths left the scene without stopping, and a witness alerted the police. The victim later told officers: “There was no need for this incident at all.”
Griffiths initially pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving, later changing his plea to guilty on the day of his trial. His defence lawyer, Emily Bennett, expressed Griffiths’ “deep shame” over the incident, noting he had been redeployed from his job as a bin lorry driver due to the offence.
Judge Paul Thomas KC described Griffiths’ actions as “incredibly stupid” and sentenced him to 10 months, suspended for 18 months. Griffiths must complete 100 hours of unpaid work, 25 rehabilitation days, and pay £1,200 in costs due to the lateness of his plea. Additionally, he was disqualified from driving for 12 months and must pass an extended driving test to regain his licence.
Crime
Police arrest suspects following vehicle interferences in Haverfordwest
HAVERFORDWEST police responded swiftly after reports of multiple vehicle interferences in the Tasker Way area on Sunday night/early Monday morning (Nov 4).
Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPPT) conducted extensive house-to-house enquiries, gathering evidence and reassuring the community. These efforts led to the identification of two suspects.
Both NPPT and Response teams acted promptly, locating and arresting the suspects, who are now in police custody.
-
News7 days ago
£1.7bn boost for Welsh Government in UK Budget
-
News7 days ago
Pay boost announced for 2,600 workers in Pembrokeshire, as Budget unfolds
-
Crime7 days ago
Coroners inquest opened and adjourned following death of schoolgirl, 12
-
Charity7 days ago
Two nights of rock ’n’ roll raise thousands for Paul Sartori Hospice
-
News7 days ago
Taxes up, spending up – It’s Reeves’ gig gamble
-
News7 days ago
HM Coastguard warning: ‘Do not use marine flares as fireworks’
-
Business7 days ago
Number of Welsh companies with unpaid bills hits 2024 high
-
Health7 days ago
Fundraiser walks 87,000 steps for Acute Cardiac Care Unit