Crime

Paedophile caught with 1000 indecent images branded ‘sad man with sad fantasies’

Published

1 year ago

August 15, 2024

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been condemned as “a sad man with sad fantasies” after authorities uncovered nearly 1,000 indecent videos and images of children, including newborn babies, in his possession.

Matthew Wood, 30, was found guilty of possessing a vast trove of child sexual abuse material after police seized multiple electronic devices from his home on Coronation Avenue on 28 September 2022. Prosecutor Caitlin Brazel revealed that the items confiscated included phones, laptops, computer towers, and an iPad.

Wood admitted to having indecent images of children and cooperated with police by providing access to his devices. During an interview, he further directed officers to two additional computer towers that had not been found during the initial search.

Wood claimed that the images were sent to him through a group chat on the Kik messaging platform, stating that he was “merely curious about what could be found online” and had not viewed the material “for a number of years.”

In total, police discovered 102 images and 321 videos of Category A, 248 images and 62 videos of Category B, and 212 images and eight videos of Category C, along with five prohibited videos of children and 20 extreme pornographic videos depicting bestiality. Additionally, it was revealed that Wood had distributed a Category A video on 1 February 2022, showing a baby, aged between 12 and 18 months, being sexually abused by a man.

Ms Brazel described Wood as an “active participant” in the group chats, where he sent disturbing messages expressing his intent to “rape all the subjects” of the images and videos, and voiced a desire to meet the person who sent him the videos so they could “tag team” a child.

Wood pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including distributing an indecent image of a child, three offences of making indecent images of children, possessing a prohibited image of a child, and possessing extreme pornography. These offences spanned from August 2018 to September 2022.

In mitigation, defence counsel Ian Ibrahim highlighted that Wood had no previous convictions and acknowledged that his client’s “good character is now, of course, lost forever.” Mr Ibrahim also noted that Wood had been ostracised by his family, with his mother telling him not to return home, and that he had been attending sex therapy sessions voluntarily. Wood no longer claimed to have obtained the images “out of curiosity.”

Presiding over the case, Judge Paul Thomas KC expressed his deep concern over the material found on Wood’s devices. “The material that you had over a prolonged period of time on your various devices was utterly appalling,” he stated, adding that Wood’s participation in the chats was “extremely worrying.”

“You are a sad man with sad fantasies,” Judge Thomas continued. “If you have become a social pariah, you can hardly blame people for acting in disgust at the sort of images you were viewing.”

Wood was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete the Maps For Change programme and undertake 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Additionally, Wood must register as a sex offender.

Crime

Appeal due over dog forfeiture order as community raises concerns

Published

1 hour ago

January 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Case listed at Swansea Crown Court following magistrates’ ruling in December

AN APPEAL is due to be heard at Swansea Crown Court in a long-running case involving a Pembrokeshire woman and the forfeiture of dogs following enforcement action by the county council.

Julia Goodgame has appealed against forfeiture orders made by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 11), after being prosecuted by Pembrokeshire County Council in connection with breaches of a Community Protection Notice.

The case is listed before the Crown Court for directions, with the appeal understood to relate specifically to the forfeiture orders imposed by magistrates. The council previously confirmed that four dogs were removed from the property and placed in an approved animal welfare centre following the court’s decision.

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “The defendant has appealed against the Forfeiture Orders which were made by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on December 11th.

“Pembrokeshire County Council will respond in due course. As the case is ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”

The appeal comes amid renewed concern from residents in the Bryn-y-Derwydd area of Trefin, who say they feel frustrated by what they describe as a lack of effective enforcement while the legal process continues.

***There were protests in Trefin over her dogs in 2025***

Members of the local community allege that conditions linked to the property have deteriorated again, raising environmental health concerns. Residents claim the situation has had a wider impact on neighbouring homes, including reports of vermin and unpleasant odours, and say they feel their complaints are not being adequately addressed.

The Herald understands that council officers, including environmental health, are aware of the ongoing issues but are limited in what action can be taken while court proceedings remain live.

The Crown Court hearing is expected to clarify the scope of the appeal and set out how the matter will proceed. Further reporting restrictions may apply depending on the court’s directions.

This newspaper will continue to follow the case and report developments as they can be lawfully published.

Crime

West Wales teenager jailed for raping 12-year-old girl

Published

6 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Court Reporter

Jake Richards, 19, sentenced to three-and-a-half years in young offenders’ institution

A 19-year-old man from Garnswllt, Carmarthenshire, has been sentenced to three years and six months in a young offender institution after admitting to raping a 12-year-old girl.

Jake Richards pleaded guilty to the offence, which occurred when he was 17, following online contact with the victim via Snapchat that led to an in-person meeting. The victim courageously reported the incident to police in August 2024 after first confiding in a friend.

Details of the offence

The pair had arranged to meet, and the victim believed they were simply going to talk. They walked to a secluded tunnel, where Richards initiated sexual activity despite the victim’s repeated verbal refusals and pleas for him to stop. He continued regardless.

A thorough investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police, involving forensic analysis (including DNA evidence) and digital enquiries (such as Snapchat records), built a strong case. This evidence contributed to Richards’ early guilty plea at Swansea Crown Court, sparing the victim the further distress of a full trial.

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Richards was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court.

Police commend victim’s bravery

Detective Sergeant Carl Pocock of Dyfed-Powys Police praised the victim’s extraordinary courage: “First and foremost, I want to commend the victim—who was just 12 years old at the time—for her immense bravery in coming forward and cooperating fully throughout the investigation.

“Rape and sexual abuse are incredibly difficult topics to discuss, especially for someone so young facing an offender five years her senior. She clearly and repeatedly said ‘no’ and asked him to stop, yet he ignored her to satisfy his own desires.

“Her strength continued when she disclosed the abuse to a friend and then reported it to police, ensuring justice could be pursued. Our specialist team examined her account meticulously, using DNA and digital forensics to prove the case beyond doubt. This robust evidence led to the early guilty plea and avoided the added trauma of a trial.

“It is crucial to emphasise that a child of 12 cannot legally consent to any sexual activity. This case underscores the urgent need for open conversations with young people about online safety, the law on consent, and healthy relationships—including how to recognise and assert consent, never to assume it, and what to do if it is ignored or withdrawn.”

DS Pocock added that the case demonstrates Dyfed-Powys Police’s commitment to supporting and seeking justice for victims of sexual abuse, regardless of age.

Broader implications and prevention

Cases like this highlight the risks of online interactions transitioning to real-life meetings, particularly when significant age differences and power imbalances exist. Grooming or pressure can occur subtly via social media, making early education essential.

Parents, educators, and guardians are encouraged to discuss consent, boundaries, and digital safety proactively with teenagers. Reliable guidance includes resources from organisations like the NSPCC, which offers advice on talking to young people about healthy relationships, signs of unhealthy dynamics, and understanding consent (including that it must be freely given, informed, specific, and revocable).

Support available

Anyone affected by rape or sexual assault can access specialist help. New Pathways provides dedicated support services across Wales for victims dealing with the traumatic aftermath of such offences, including counselling and practical assistance. More details are available on their website.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, contact police on 101 (or 999 in emergencies), or reach out to support organisations directly.

This sentencing serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of sexual offending and the priority given to victim protection in the justice system.

Crime

Goodwick woman banned after cannabis found over drug-drive limit

Published

6 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Emma Murphy, 31, was stopped in Merlin’s Bridge and later gave a blood reading of 11mcg of THC, magistrates heard

A GOODWICK woman who told the court she had been using cannabis to cope with personal difficulties has been banned from driving after police caught her over the drug-drive limit.

Emma Murphy, 31, was stopped on August 22, 2025, as she drove her Hyundai Kona along Pembroke Road, Merlin’s Bridge. A roadside drug swipe proved positive and a subsequent blood test showed she had 11mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in her system. The legal limit is 2.

Murphy, of Needle Point, Glanymor Road, Goodwick, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week. She was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher, who said his client had been struggling in her personal life.

“The defendant has had some difficulties in her personal life and was taking cannabis to help get over it,” he told the court. “She had no idea she was over the limit the day she was stopped.”

Magistrates disqualified Murphy from driving for 12 months. She was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £48 surcharge.