Crime

Predator faces jail after admitting to historical child abuse

Published

2 years ago

September 6, 2024

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been warned that he faces a prison sentence after admitting to a series of child sex offences spanning over two decades.

Mark Ford, 65, of Ambleston, appeared at Swansea Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to multiple charges of indecent assault and sexual misconduct involving three young victims. The offences occurred over a 24-year period, from the late 1990s to as recently as last year.

Ford was charged with a total of 10 historical child sex offences. These included three counts of indecent assault against a teenage girl between 1999 and 2001. He also faced charges of indecency with a child and two counts of indecent assault against a second girl, who was under 14 years old, between 2000 and 2003.

More recently, Ford was accused of sexually assaulting a third child, as well as causing that child to watch a sexual act on two separate occasions, with these offences taking place between 2022 and 2023.

In court, Ford admitted to one count of indecent assault against the first child, indecency with a child and indecent assault against the second victim, and both offences of causing a child to watch a sexual act, as well as one count of sexual assault against the third child. He denied the remaining charges.

Prosecutor James Hartson told the court that these admissions were deemed acceptable, and no trial would be pursued for the charges Ford had denied. “Justice can be done by accepting those pleas,” Mr Hartson said, confirming that the charges reflected Ford’s offending against all three victims.

Judge Huw Rees adjourned sentencing to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. In the meantime, Ford has been readmitted to bail but will return to court on October 18 for sentencing. He has also been placed on the sex offenders’ register.

Addressing the defendant in court, Judge Rees issued a stark warning: “Quite clearly, these sentences pass the custody threshold. You should prepare yourself for a period of imprisonment.”

Ford’s sentencing will determine the extent of the punishment for crimes that have caused significant harm to his victims over many years.

Crime

Pembroke Dock man accused of Tesco theft

Published

18 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant due back before Haverfordwest magistrates next month over alleged shoplifting offence

A MAN from Pembroke Dock is due to appear again before magistrates in connection with an alleged shop theft in Haverfordwest.

John Bendall, aged 29, of Pier House, Pier Road, Pembroke Dock, is charged with stealing items worth £155 from Tesco on October 4, 2025.

The allegation, brought under the Theft Act 1968, was listed before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Apr 16) for a first hearing.

No plea was entered and the case was adjourned.

Bendall was ordered to attend Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court again on May 5, 2026, at 10:00am for a plea hearing in Courtroom 1.

Crime

Man guilty of breaching restraining order over online reference to woman

Published

18 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Court Reporter

Broad Haven defendant fined after court finds internet post referred by necessary inference to protected person

A MAN from Broad Haven has been convicted of breaching a restraining order after making an online reference to a woman he had been banned from mentioning.

Thomas Jones, aged 35, of Croft Road, Broad Haven, appeared for trial before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Apr 16).

The court heard that on February 28, 2026, Jones entered data on the internet which referred, by necessary inference to the female. He had been prohibited from doing so under a restraining order imposed by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on May 6, 2025.

Jones denied the allegation when the case was heard, but magistrates found him guilty following trial.

The bench, made up of Mrs H Lewis, Mr A Allison and Mr D England, fined Jones £300.

He was also ordered to pay £650 in prosecution costs.

A victim personal statement from the woman was read to the court by the prosecutor.

Crime

Son charged after mother’s body found in chest freezer

Published

19 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Porthcawl pensioner, 89, was discovered after GP raised concerns and asked police to carry out welfare check

A MAN has been charged after the body of his 89-year-old mother was found in a chest freezer at her home in Porthcawl.

South Wales Police discovered the remains of Sylvia Phillips at a property in Poplar Crescent on Monday, February 17, after her GP asked officers to carry out a welfare check.

An inquest at Pontypridd Coroner’s Court heard that the cause of her death is still awaiting further investigation.

Her son, Christopher Phillips, 60, of Porthcawl, has been charged with preventing a lawful and decent burial. He also faces a charge of fraud by false representation.

Phillips has been remanded in custody and was due to appear at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday (Apr 16).

The hearing was told that a post-mortem examination was carried out on March 2 by Dr Stephen Leadbetter at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

Senior Coroner for South Wales Central, Graeme Hughes, adjourned the inquest while further enquiries are carried out.

The court also heard that Sylvia Phillips’ family had requested a cremation certificate, which was granted by the coroner.