Crime

Rape survivor received letters from attacker in Parc Prison

Published

5 months ago

August 5, 2024

A RAPE survivor has condemned HMP Parc in Bridgend, South Wales, for failing “to keep victims safe” after receiving multiple letters from her jailed attacker.

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr, 21, waived her right to anonymity to reveal that she had been sent seven letters from her rapist over a period of 10 months, despite pleading with authorities to intervene.

HMP Parc, already under scrutiny after 10 inmate deaths earlier this year, stated that it takes public protection “extremely seriously” and claimed efforts were made to halt the letters.

Ms Nesbitt-Marr had been seeing John Harding, 28, for only 12 days when he imprisoned and raped her in her Newport flat in July 2023. During the prolonged assault, Harding stood on her head and dragged her along the floor, telling her she was “not scared enough.”

She escaped the next morning, seeking refuge in a local Boots store where she reported the rape. Harding was arrested the same day and detained at HMP Parc pending trial.

Three weeks later, Ms Nesbitt-Marr received the first letter from Harding, sent via another inmate. In the letter, Harding expressed his desire to resume their relationship upon his release, making inappropriate references to her “naked skin.”

Diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the attack, Ms Nesbitt-Marr said receiving the letter was like reliving the assault. Despite contacting Gwent Police and the prison, the letters continued.

In total, she received seven letters, both before and after Harding’s trial and conviction in December for multiple counts including rape and false imprisonment. Harding was sentenced to 15 years and given a restraining order, but the correspondence persisted.

Ms Nesbitt-Marr shared her ordeal on TikTok, gaining hundreds of thousands of views and messages from other women with similar experiences. However, the prison has yet to apologise or contact her, leaving her feeling “completely in the dark.”

Her father, Paul Nesbitt-Marr, who worked in prisons for 20 years, criticised HMP Parc, stating that preventing such letters is a “basic” duty. Despite assurances from the prison, the letters continued.

Speaking to the BBC, G4S, the company managing HMP Parc, acknowledged the issue and said it had taken “all appropriate steps,” including disciplining Harding and two other inmates. However, they admitted Harding used third parties to breach the restraining order.

Gwent Police confirmed they are investigating the letters.

Ellie Wilson, a campaigner and fellow rape survivor, praised Ms Nesbitt-Marr’s bravery and criticised the justice system for treating survivors as an “afterthought.” Wilson highlighted the need for better support and transparency for victims.

Sara Kirkpatrick of Welsh Women’s Aid confirmed that unwanted contact from offenders in prison is not uncommon. She urged victims to report such incidents to the police and prison authorities, as it constitutes a further offence.

Ms Nesbitt-Marr hopes her story will protect other victims and called for an apology from the prison. She emphasised that victims should not feel embarrassed and that the only person who should be ashamed is the perpetrator.

“I want women to know that this is nothing to be embarrassed about,” she said. “The only person that needs to be embarrassed is the person who violated you.”

Crime

Begelly man sentenced for carrying metal bar during nightclub fight

Published

2 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MAN has been sentenced after approaching a Pembrokeshire nightclub armed with a metre-long metal bar.

Just after 2:30am on July 21, police were called to Main Street, Pembroke, following reports of a large fight involving around 100 people outside ‘Out’ nightclub.

Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week: “Officers were told it was a large fight. They saw Walter Probert, 27, march purposefully towards a parked van.

“The van’s lights were on, and they saw the defendant pull out a long, green metal pole. He took ten steps back towards the nightclub and transferred the pole from one hand to the other.”

Another man approached Probert, removed the pole from his hands, and placed it inside the van.

“Because of the manner in which the pole was used by the defendant, it became an offensive weapon,” added Ms James.

CCTV footage of the incident was shown to magistrates.

Probation officer Julie Norman said Probert had no recollection of the incident.

“He doesn’t remember what he was doing, but he accepts everything that has been said. He was very drunk,” she said.

“He was brought up in the gypsy travelling community and doesn’t have an alcohol issue; he’s just a social drinker. He’s thankful to his friend who took the pole and placed it back inside the van.”

Probert, of the Caravan Site, Kingsmoor Common, Begelly, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. He was represented in court by Mr Tom Lloyd.

“No threats were made by the defendant when he picked it up, but it was a stupid decision,” said Mr Lloyd. “As soon as he was challenged and asked what he was doing, he ceased.”

Probert was sentenced to a 12-month community order, requiring him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 court surcharge. Magistrates imposed a destruction order on the metal bar.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”

Crime

Sex offender jailed for breaching court order

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

Court Reporter

A SEX offender from Wolfscastle has been jailed after using fake names on WhatsApp and attempting to access a social media app, breaching his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Luke Rogers, 38, was sentenced to 10 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after pleading guilty to two breaches of the order, which was imposed following his 2020 conviction for sexual activity with a child.

Under the SHPO, Rogers was prohibited from using unregistered internet-enabled devices or creating online profiles under false names. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that police monitoring software installed on Rogers’ phone detected activity in group chats under three aliases last November.

Further investigation revealed Rogers had also searched for the MeetMe app on four occasions and admitted using it. Rogers, described by Mr. Bowen as “apologetic,” was arrested, and his phone was seized.

The court heard Rogers has a history of 17 convictions for 35 offences, including breaching court orders and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Defence barrister Olivia Rose said Rogers had cooperated fully with police and expressed a desire to change. She argued that his breaches stemmed from a misunderstanding about permitted names and emphasized his efforts to seek support.

Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Catherine Richards noted Rogers’ pattern of reoffending and stated: “The reality is I can only pass an immediate custodial sentence.”

She expressed hope that Rogers would take advantage of post-sentence supervision to break the cycle of offending.