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Crime

Pembrokeshire crime victims urged to share experiences of court delays

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VICTIMS of crime in Pembrokeshire and across England and Wales are being urged to share their experiences of lengthy court delays, as a survey from the Victims’ Commissioner is set to close on Thursday, 12 September. The survey, launched by Baroness Newlove, aims to collect views on how delays in the criminal justice system are affecting victims and the support they receive during these prolonged waits.

Court backlogs have reached unprecedented levels, with figures from the Ministry of Justice showing the Crown Court currently grappling with 67,573 outstanding cases, 16,031 of which have been unresolved for over a year. The survey follows concerns that these delays are contributing to victims withdrawing from the justice process, particularly in cases involving adult rape, where nearly two-thirds of investigations were closed due to victims pulling out.

Baroness Newlove is calling on victims whose cases resulted in criminal charges to complete the anonymous five-minute survey before it closes. Available in both English and Welsh, the survey seeks to shed light on how delays are impacting victims’ mental health and access to justice, with findings set to inform future recommendations to government and criminal justice agencies.

Speaking on the urgency of the issue, the Victims’ Commissioner stated, “No one should be expected to wait years for their case to reach court. Justice is not being delivered in a timely or effective way, and victims are paying the price. With a record backlog in our Crown Courts, the justice system is under immense strain, and we cannot ignore the impact this is having on victims.”

Baroness Newlove continued, “I often hear from victims stuck in limbo, anxiously awaiting their day in court. One victim questioned whether a system that inflicts such delays can truly claim to be delivering justice. These are not isolated incidents; they are part of a wider systemic issue, causing real distress.”

Data reveals that at the end of December 2023, over a quarter of all cases (27%) were postponed on the day of the trial, further compounding victims’ frustrations. With Crown Court delays at a record high, Baroness Newlove hopes the survey will help pinpoint how these issues are affecting victims and what steps can be taken to reduce the strain on the system.

The findings from the survey will contribute to a forthcoming report aimed at easing the burden on victims and improving the overall efficiency of the criminal justice process. Victims across Pembrokeshire and beyond whose cases were charged by the Crown Prosecution Service are encouraged to participate, regardless of when their case took place or if it remains ongoing.

To access the regional breakdown of court delays and complete the survey, visit the Victims’ Commissioner’s website.

The survey closes tomorrow, and victims are being urged to take this final opportunity to voice their concerns and influence future changes aimed at restoring fairness and support to the justice process.

Crime

Mother admits to killing seven-year-old son in Haverfordwest

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A mother has admitted to the manslaughter of her seven-year-old son at their home in Haverfordwest, citing diminished responsibility.

Papaipit Linse, 43, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 22), where she denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of her son, Louis Linse. Prosecutor Caroline Rees KC confirmed the manslaughter plea would be accepted, stating it “did not come as a surprise” to the prosecution.

The incident occurred on 10 January when police were called to a property on Upper Market Street. Louis was rushed to Withybush General Hospital but tragically died shortly afterwards.

During the hearing, Linse, who spoke only to confirm her name and enter her pleas, was informed that she would be sentenced on 13 December. Judge Paul Thomas KC described the case as “clearly a very sensitive as well as a very tragic case.”

The court was told that Linse is currently receiving treatment at the Caswell Clinic, a mental health facility in Bridgend. Psychiatric evidence is expected to be presented during the sentencing hearing to provide further insight into the circumstances surrounding the case.

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Crime

Court hears man exposed his flaccid manhood ‘by accident’

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A 21-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with intentionally exposing his genitals in a public place.

Thomas Jones is accused of carrying out the act at a property in New Moat, Clarbeston Road, on November 9, 2022.

“The defendant knocked on the door of a female and offered his gardening services,” Crown prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“She accepted his offer and moved her car so that he could move his van, but when she turned around, she could see his flaccid penis was outside his trousers. When she pointed this out to him, he said he didn’t know that it was exposed.”

Jones denies the charge. He was released on unconditional bail to await his trial at Haverfordwest magistrates court on January 6.

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Crime

Regular cocaine user from Milford Haven taken off the road

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A MILFORD HAVEN resident who admits to being a regular cocaine user has lost his driving licence after being found behind the wheel when he was 15 times over the legal Benzoylecgonine limit.

Teifion Morse, 41, was stopped by officers just before midnight on May 1 following reports that he was driving his Vauxhall Insignia along the A477 at excessive speeds.

“The vehicle was travelling westwards towards Kilgetty, and Teifion Morse was the driver and the sole occupant, “ Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

A roadside drugs wipe proved positive while further blood tests carried out at the police custody suite showed that Morse had 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system (the legal limit is 50), and 20 mcg of cocaine. The legal limit is 10.

Ms James said that when Morse was spoken to by officers, he told them that he knew the readings would be positive. “I’ve done stupid amounts today,” he said.

Morse, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug driving. A probation report stated that since leaving the military five and a half years ago, Morse has suffered from mental health issues.

He’s been using cocaine as a coping mechanism,” said the probation officer. “He freely admits that he uses cocaine to help him cope, but it’s spiralled and is getting more and more out of control. He would like support to kick this habit.”

Morse chose to be legally unrepresented when he appeared before magistrates.

“It was my stupid fault and I’m trying to take the correct steps to get on the right path,” he said in mitigation.

Morse was sentenced to an 18-month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months and must pay a £140 court surcharge and £85 costs.

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