A WEST WALES man, initially convicted of grooming and sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy, has been acquitted after a trial was ordered following a successful application to the court based on new evidence about his mental capacity.

The accused, Alec Davidson, from Carmarthen, pleaded guilty in June 2023 of two charges related to historical sexual abuse against a then 13-year-old boy. These charges stemmed from an incident in 2005, when Davidson had groomed the victim via the social media platform Bebo before assaulting him. The guilty plea by the defendant had followed a judicial review initiated by the victim, who had to take legal action to compel Dyfed Powys Police to pursue the case after their initial reluctance to do so.

However, Davidson applied to the court to vacate his pleas vacated (cancelled), claiming he had the mental capacity of a primary school child and had only pleaded guilty under pressure from his barrister and father. His application to vacate his pleas was granted, and the subsequent trial resulted in Davidson being found not guilty in September 2023.

Davidson’s legal team successfully argued during the appeal hearing at Swansea Crown Court in May that their client had been wrongly advised to plead guilty due to his learning disability. His father, John Davidson, testified that Alec, who has the cognitive capacity of a child, was told by his barrister that a guilty plea would likely result in a non-custodial sentence, while contesting the charges could lead to a guaranteed jail term if convicted.

John Davidson revealed to the court that he had instructed his son to follow the barrister’s advice, believing it was the only way to avoid prison. As a result, Alec Davidson pleaded guilty without fully understanding the consequences of his actions or the implications of the plea.

After hearing this new evidence, the appeal court ordered a retrial. At the retrial, which took place on September 6, 2024, the jury returned a not guilty verdict, resulting in Alec Davidson’s acquittal. The court accepted the argument that Davidson’s mental disability had played a significant role in his decision to plead guilty initially.

The victim, now in his 30s, had faced significant challenges in getting justice. The abuse took place in the winter of 2004/2005, when Davidson groomed the victim online and took him to a secluded location where the assault occurred. The victim did not report the incident until 2019, when he confronted Davidson on Facebook. In the exchange, Davidson admitted to the sexual act but claimed he believed the boy to be 17 at the time.

Despite this admission and the evidence from the Facebook conversation, Dyfed Powys Police initially declined to prosecute, citing insufficient evidence and referencing the victim’s mental health and troubled background as potential obstacles to securing a conviction. The victim, undeterred by the police’s decision, sought a judicial review to challenge the authorities’ refusal to proceed. His persistence paid off, with the judicial review forcing the police to arrest and charge Davidson in 2023.

Davidson was subsequently convicted under historical sexual abuse laws but successfully appealed the verdict, leading to his acquittal at retrial. The victim has described his ordeal as “a nightmare that never ends,” not only due to the abuse but also because of the systemic failures by the police, NHS, and local authorities in handling his case. He revealed that confidential medical and school records, which detailed his history of mental illness and behavioral problems, were shared with the police without his consent by the NHS and Carmarthenshire County Council. Both organizations admitted to mishandling his records and settled with the victim for an undisclosed sum believed to be less than £10,000.

These institutional failings further complicated the case, with the police initially using the victim’s background as justification for not proceeding with the investigation. The victim’s decision to pursue a judicial review forced the authorities to reconsider their position, leading to Davidson’s arrest and first conviction.

Davidson’s acquittal raises serious questions about the handling of cases involving vulnerable individuals on both sides of the legal system. While the retrial has cleared Davidson, the case highlights the difficulties faced by both victims and defendants with mental disabilities in navigating the criminal justice process.

The victim, devastated by the retrial outcome, remains concerned about the broader implications of the case, particularly regarding the protection of other potential victims. He continues to campaign for greater accountability from police and public services, hoping that lessons will be learned from his case.

Meanwhile, Davidson, who had admitted to sexual acts with the boy but now walks free due to his mental disability, has returned to his home in Carmarthen. The case remains a landmark in the legal and judicial processes surrounding historic child sexual abuse and the rights of those with learning disabilities.

A LIGHTHOUSE beacon that has guided more than a billion metric tons of shipping over six decades into the Port of Milford Haven has undergone a major refit.

The Mid Channel Rock lighthouse, bedded on an undersea reef and known by mariners as ‘the Pole’, has endured Atlantic storms for over nearly 60 years to warn ships of shallow rocks at the entrance to the Port of Milford Haven. In recent years it has also provided extensive weather and sea condition information to commercial and leisure sailors using the UK’s leading energy port.

The multi-million-pound project, led by engineers at the Port of Milford Haven, saw a 25 tonne steel sleeve lowered over the tower and strengthened with infill to reinforce the structure. One of the tripod legs that are drilled into the seabed to support the column was also reinforced and new electrical systems and weather monitoring equipment were fitted.

Shan McGarty, the Port’s Project Manager leading the scheme, explained: “This project has been long in the planning, taking several years to move from initial concept to completion due to the complexity of the task. Once works began they were delivered relatively swiftly despite the difficult working conditions we faced, including strong winds and heavy seas.”

“It is our job to ensure the safe navigation of these waters for everyone that uses them and that’s why an investment such as this is top of our priorities,” explained the Port of Milford Haven’s Harbourmaster, Mike Ryan. “Not only is the Mid Channel Rock lighthouse a highly visible mark for all, it’s also an essential part of our weather and sea monitoring systems helping us plan shipping movements,” he said.

“And for sailors coming from often heavy seas, this historic marker will continue to stand proud as a welcome to the sheltered harbour at the Port of Milford Haven for many years to come.” Mike added. 

THIS autumn, theatre enthusiasts have the opportunity to experience something truly remarkable. The Torch Theatre in Wales will host the English-language premiere of Tachwedd, a thought-provoking drama by Jon Berry, before it heads to the London stage. This unique production, which promises to leave a lasting impression, blends history, mythology, and contemporary struggles to explore deep themes of land, identity, and destiny.

Set in the heart of Bethesda, North Wales, Tachwedd spans centuries, from the 1700s to the present day. The play examines the pressures faced by a modern Welsh family, from a mother’s fight to pay the rent to a town grappling with the aftermath of mass layoffs. At its core, Tachwedd reveals how history, violence, and dispossession have shaped the land and the lives of those who inhabit it.

The play, directed by Jac Ifan Moore and produced by Phoebe Stringer Productions and Theatre 503, flips the typical “state-of-the-nation” play on its head. It weaves religious fervour, royal hunting parties, and national anxiety into a powerful, contemporary piece of theatre. The script delves into the consequences of decisions that reverberate across time, with the land itself becoming a fractured character that reflects the turmoil experienced by its inhabitants.

The stellar Welsh cast, including Bedwyr Bowen, Saran Morgan, Carri Munn, and Glyn Pritchard, will take to the Torch Theatre stage on the 25th, 26th, 27th, and 28th of September. All performances will start at 7pm. With an age guidance of 14+, audiences should be aware that the play includes explicit references to sexual violence and rape, adding to the intensity and realism of the themes explored.

Don’t miss this unforgettable production, which promises to resonate deeply with audiences long after the curtain falls.

Tickets are priced at £12, and given the limited run, theatre-goers are encouraged to book early. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the Torch Theatre Box Office on 01646 695267 or by visiting torchtheatre.co.uk.

For further information and press images, please contact Anwen Francis (Marketing, Press & Communications) at [email protected] or call 07854 772640.