Crime

Mystery still surrounds Siân Batchelor’s death in Pembroke Dock

Published

1 year ago

August 25, 2024

THE DEATH of Siân Stephanie Batchelor, a 32-year-old mother from Pembroke Dock, has left her family devastated and seeking justice. Siân’s body was found on the riverbed near Pennar on April 30 under mysterious circumstances. In the wake of her tragic death, her close friend Carmel Russant has launched a poignant GoFundMe campaign titled “Justice 4 Sian.”

The words in the appeal, although written by Carmel, are crafted to reflect what she believes Siân would express if she had the chance. They portray a woman confused and frightened by the events leading up to her death, questioning how she ended up where she was found. “I don’t know what happened to me, but, I do know I was found on the riverbed in Pennar, Pembroke Dock,” the appeal reads. The family further writes from Siân’s perspective, highlighting the unsettling detail that she was discovered fully clothed except for her shoes, which were missing—an eerie detail that has left her loved ones grasping for answers.

The appeal also conveys the deep sense of betrayal Siân would have felt towards her friends, who, according to her family, did not alert anyone when she disappeared. “None of my so-called ‘best friends’ informed my family that I was missing… Instead, no one came looking for me, why?” the emotional appeal asks, reflecting the family’s anguish and frustration over what they perceive as a failure by those who were closest to her to take action that might have saved her life.

In the heartbreaking portrayal of Siân’s final days, the GoFundMe page describes how her life had taken a downward spiral, leaving her vulnerable and isolated. They speak of her being “used and abused” by people she trusted and recount how she was “beaten up badly” just days before she was found dead. Through the imagined voice of Siân, the appeal raises the possibility that her death could have been prevented if only someone had intervened sooner. “I know they all didn’t look for me, possibly because they knew where I was all along.”

Siân’s friend says she and the and family is determined that her death will not be overlooked or forgotten. They are seeking funds to ensure legal representation at the inquest, one that they hope will not only explore the immediate cause of her death but also investigate the broader circumstances. “The truth must be told in order for all these unanswered questions to bring some closure to my truly loved ones,” the appeal declares, underscoring the family’s commitment to uncovering the truth behind Siân’s death.

Carmel Russant is also appealing for anyone who has CCTV or ring doorbell footage from the Pennar area from April 26-April 30 to get in touch.

She is particularly keen for anyone who has footage from Pennar’s Castle Street, Military Road, Stranraer Road and the Pennar Park area. She is asking people to check the footage from cameras at the front and back of their properties and also any cameras facing fields.

Anyone across the water on the opposite side of the Pembroke River to where Sian was found is also asked to check CCTV from those dates.

Police can be contacted either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101 and quoting reference DP-20240430-284.

For those wishing to support the family’s efforts, donations can be made to the GoFundMe campaign, and anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact the police

Crime

Aberystwyth man denies criminal damage charge over Cardigan gallery window

Published

4 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Alleged incident said to have taken place on Bridge Street

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has denied a charge of criminal damage relating to an alleged incident in Cardigan.

Ricky Myers, aged 27, of Jasper House, Aberystwyth, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Myers is accused of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

The charge relates to an incident on Saturday (Aug 24, 2024) at Manchester House on Bridge Street, Cardigan, where it is alleged that a window at the Cardigan Gallery was damaged. The property is said to belong to Peter Austin.

Myers pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

Magistrates adjourned the case for further case management, and Myers was remanded on conditional bail, with a condition that he live and sleep each night at his home address.

He is due to return to court at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 2:00pm.

Crime

Pembroke Dock man remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on string of offences

Published

4 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Harassment charge and three assaults among cases listed for Llanelli court

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing after admitting a series of offences, including harassment and assaults.

Tony Brundrett, aged 21, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard Brundrett has pleaded guilty to harassment without violence, contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act. The charge alleges that between Tuesday (Sep 17) and Thursday (Oct 31) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, he pursued a course of conduct amounting to harassment of a female, including attending her home address and contacting her by text message.

He has also admitted assault by beating against the same female, alleged to have taken place on Wednesday (May 21) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, and a further assault by beating against a second female on Thursday (Oct 30), also at Spring View.

Magistrates were additionally told that Brundrett faces a further allegation of common assault against a third female, said to have occurred on Tuesday (Dec 9) at Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock. No plea was recorded to that matter in the register entry.

Brundrett has also pleaded guilty to a number of offences linked to an incident in Haverfordwest on Saturday (Nov 16). These include:

Aggravated vehicle taking, involving a Vauxhall Corsa, with damage caused before recovery
Using a motor vehicle without insurance
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
Criminal damage, involving a window belonging to Pembrokeshire County Council

He was remanded in custody, with the next hearing listed at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 10:00am.

Crime

Milford Haven man admits multiple offences after A477 incident

Published

4 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Zombie knife charge and dangerous driving among offences before the court

A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared before magistrates charged with four offences arising from a single incident in Pembrokeshire.

Simon Rees, aged 28, of Observatory Avenue, Hakin, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that all four offences are alleged to have taken place on Tuesday (Nov 5) and relate to an incident on the A477 towards Pembroke Dock involving a Ford Fiesta.

Rees is charged with:

Possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, namely a zombie knife
Dangerous driving
Using a motor vehicle without third party insurance
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence

Magistrates were told that Rees has pleaded guilty to the insurance offence and to driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. He has also changed his plea to guilty on the offensive weapon charge, while indicating a guilty plea to the dangerous driving offence.

The case was adjourned for sentence, and the court ordered that a pre-sentence report be prepared.

Rees was remanded on conditional bail, with conditions including a night-time curfew between 8:00pm and 7:00am, to be electronically monitored, and a requirement to reside at his home address.

He is due to return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Tuesday (Jan 7) at 10:00am.