Crime

Mystery still surrounds Siân Batchelor’s death in Pembroke Dock

Published

2 years 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

Driver sentenced for cannabis offences on Cleddau Bridge and in Wolverhampton

Published

6 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A WOLVERHAMPTON motorist has been disqualified from driving after admitting two separate cannabis-driving offences, including one on the Cleddau Bridge.

Doel Lyons appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (July 23), where he pleaded guilty to both charges.

The first offence took place on December 22, 2025, when Lyons drove a Honda Civic along the A477 Cleddau Bridge at Pembroke Dock.

A blood test showed seven micrograms of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, per litre of blood.

The second offence occurred on March 30 this year, when Lyons drove the same Honda Civic along Tithe Croft in Wolverhampton with cannabis in his blood above the legal limit.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month driving disqualification for each offence and fined Lyons £233 on each charge.

He was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs in relation to each conviction.

The court register does not specify whether the two periods of disqualification are to run concurrently.

Separate allegations that Lyons drove another vehicle while over the cannabis limit and without insurance in Staffordshire in September 2025 remain outstanding.

No pleas have been entered to those charges, which were adjourned for a plea hearing at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court on July 29.

Crime

Pembrokeshire teenager given referral order after shoplifting spree

Published

6 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE teenager has been given a 12-month referral order after admitting a string of shop thefts and damaging a police vehicle.

The youth appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (July 23), where guilty pleas were entered to 11 theft offences committed between April and June.

The offences involved shops in Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Neyland, with alcohol targeted in the majority of the incidents.

Items stolen included BuzzBall alcoholic drinks, vodka, cans of Red Bull, crisps, chewing gum and a sandwich.

The court heard that several of the thefts took place at retail parks in Haverfordwest and Milford Haven, while others occurred at stores in Neyland and Milford Haven town centre.

The individual also admitted causing £180 worth of damage to a Dyfed-Powys Police vehicle in Neyland on June 26.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month referral order, which will require the teenager to work with the Pembrokeshire Youth Offending Team and comply with a contract agreed with a youth offender panel.

Compensation totalling £336.77 was ordered in relation to the stolen property and damage to the police vehicle. The teenager’s guilty pleas were taken into account.

The court imposed reporting restrictions under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Nothing may be published which could identify the youth.

Crime

Murder investigation launched into death of Pembrokeshire man in 1991

Published

1 day ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A 67-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after new potential evidence emerged in connection with a death more than three decades ago.

Dyfed-Powys Police have launched a murder investigation into the death of 58-year-old Bentley Mathias, who died in hospital in 1991.

Mr Mathias died at Morriston Hospital on November 19, 1991, with his cause of death recorded at the time as a brain haemorrhage.

His death was not initially treated as suspicious. However, police said new potential evidence had since come to light, prompting the case to be investigated as a murder enquiry.

On Wednesday, July 22, officers arrested a 67-year-old man from the Llandewi Velfrey area of Pembrokeshire on suspicion of murder.

He has since been released on police bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.

The enquiry remains ongoing.