Crime

Three men forced way into Pembrokeshire nightclub and attacked doormen

Published

1 year ago

July 31, 2024

A NIGHTCLUB manager in Pembrokeshire testified in court about a violent incident on the night of April 21, 2022, which she described as “one of the most violent” she had ever witnessed.

Cathy Walters was knocked unconscious when three men forced their way into the Saundersfoot nightclub and attacked two doormen on duty.

This week, Callum Weakley, 28, Christopher Millward, 31, and Jack Parkinson, 26, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates for sentencing after pleading guilty to affray by using threatened unlawful violence towards others.

Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson stated that the men arrived at the nightclub despite Weakley being previously banned from the premises.

“They began verbally abusing the doormen, calling them p*****,” said Ms. Jackson. “Callum Weakley pushed through the door and began attacking them. They then fell down the stairs, landing at the bottom. Although one doorman landed on his feet, he lost his balance and fell against the wall. Cathy Walters, situated at the bottom of the stairs, was knocked unconscious for a few seconds and fell backwards into the wall.”

A victim impact statement from Ms. Walters was read to the magistrates, in which she expressed her fear for her safety during the incident.

“This is the most violent incident I’ve witnessed during my time as a nightclub manager,” she said. “It wasn’t just the punches, but the viciousness and extreme language. It made me feel very frightened.”

Magistrates were shown video footage of the incident.

Parkinson, a locksmith from Raymond House, Penally, and self-employed plumber Christopher Millward, from Hil Rise, Kilgetty, were both represented by Anthony O’Connell. Mr. O’Connell described his clients as “hard-working members of society that others speak highly of,” and submitted character references for both defendants.

Callum Weakley, from Jubilee Cottages, Tenby, was represented by Tom Lloyd, who explained that the incident was triggered by the recent death of his client’s father.

“He was overwhelmed by grief, which impaired his judgment,” said Mr. Lloyd. “He has now taken tremendous steps to overcome this, and he’s ashamed of what he’s done.” Mr. Lloyd also submitted character references for his client.

After considering the mitigation, magistrates sentenced all three defendants to six months in custody, suspended for 12 months. They must each complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £50 compensation to each of the three victims. Additionally, each defendant was ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

“If this hadn’t happened two years ago, the sentence might have been different,” commented the presiding magistrate. “You’ve kept out of trouble since then, and that’s why your sentence is suspended. But the level of violence shown puts it above the custody threshold.”

Crime

Swansea man jailed for online child sex offence dies in prison

Published

5 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A SWANSEA man who was jailed earlier this year for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child has died while in custody.

Gareth Davies, aged 59, of the Maritime Quarter, was serving an 18-month prison sentence after being convicted in May of sending sexually explicit messages to what he believed was a 14-year-old girl. The account was in fact a decoy used as part of an online safeguarding operation.

The court heard that Davies began communicating with the decoy between November and December 2024 and persistently pursued the individual, later attempting to arrange a face-to-face meeting. He was arrested after being confronted by the decoy operators.

Davies had pleaded not guilty but was convicted following a trial. At the time of sentencing, police described the messages as extremely concerning and said his imprisonment was necessary to protect children.

It has now been confirmed that Davies died at HMP Parc on Wednesday (Nov 27) while serving his sentence.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has launched an independent investigation into the death, which is standard procedure in all cases where someone dies in custody. No cause of death has been released at this stage.

A coroner will determine the circumstances in due course.

Crime

Pembrokeshire man sent to Crown Court over death by careless driving charge

Published

6 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been sent to the Crown Court to stand trial accused of causing a death by careless or inconsiderate driving.

Alexander MacCallum, aged 28, of Beach Road, Llanreath, Pembroke Dock, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 18).

The court heard that MacCallum is charged with causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving following an incident on Thursday (June 13, 2024).

No plea was entered at this stage of the proceedings.

Magistrates were told the case was too serious to be dealt with at magistrates’ level and ordered that it be sent to the Crown Court for trial.

MacCallum was sent to the Crown Court on unconditional bail, with further proceedings to take place at a later date.

The prosecution was brought by Dyfed-Powys Police. No defence solicitor was formally recorded at the hearing.

Crime

Breakthrough in 1993 Tooze murders: 86-year-old man arrested after cold case review

Published

9 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE investigating one of Wales’ most disturbing unsolved double murders have arrested an 86-year-old man on suspicion of killing elderly couple Harry and Megan Tooze more than three decades ago.

South Wales Police confirmed the arrest on Tuesday (Dec 17), following a forensic cold case review into the 1993 killings, which shocked the rural community of Llanharry and cast a long shadow over the South Wales justice system.

Harry Tooze, aged 64, and his wife Megan, 67, were found shot dead with a shotgun at their isolated Ty Ar y Waun farmhouse on July 26, 1993. Their bodies were discovered inside a cowshed on the property, concealed beneath carpet and hay bales, having been shot in the head at close range.

The brutality of the killings and the remoteness of the scene prompted one of the most high-profile murder investigations in Wales at the time.

Conviction later quashed

In 1995, Cheryl Tooze’s then-boyfriend, Jonathan Jones, was convicted of the murders and sentenced to life imprisonment. The prosecution case rested heavily on a partial fingerprint found on a teacup at the farmhouse.

However, the conviction unravelled just a year later. In 1996, the Court of Appeal quashed the verdict, ruling it unsafe and highlighting serious concerns about the reliability of the fingerprint evidence. The decision was widely regarded as a significant miscarriage of justice.

Jones, who consistently maintained his innocence, was supported throughout the ordeal by Cheryl Tooze, whom he later married. The couple have since spoken publicly about the devastating impact of the case on their lives.

Despite renewed appeals and periodic reviews, no one else was charged and the murders remained unresolved for nearly 30 years.

Operation Vega and forensic advances

In 2023, marking the 30th anniversary of the killings, South Wales Police launched a full cold case review under Operation Vega. The review was led by forensic scientist Professor Angela Gallop, one of the UK’s most respected figures in forensic investigation.

Detectives re-examined preserved exhibits from the original crime scene using modern forensic and DNA techniques that were not available in the early 1990s. Police have not disclosed which items were re-analysed or what evidence led to the latest arrest.

On December 17, officers arrested an 86-year-old man on suspicion of murdering Harry and Megan Tooze. He remains in police custody while enquiries continue. No further details about the suspect have been released at this stage.

Police appeal for information

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Mark Lewis described the arrest as a significant moment, but stressed that the investigation is ongoing.

He said: “While this arrest is clearly a significant development in the investigation, our enquiries are very much ongoing. This case has affected many people over the years and our aim is to find answers to the unanswered questions which remain about their deaths over 30 years on.

“Even with the passage of time, I would urge anyone who has information about the murders, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward and speak to police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact South Wales Police, quoting occurrence number 2300016841.