Crime

Second victim takes the stand in day two of Nathan John’s trial

Published

2 years ago

October 15, 2024

THE TRIAL of Nathan John, charged with the sexual assault of two 16-year-old girls in separate incidents in Milford Haven and Haverfordwest, continued today at Swansea Crown Court.

The Milford Haven victim’s stepfather provided a harrowing account of how he first learned of the alleged rape. In the early hours of the morning, he received a photograph from a relative, showing his stepdaughter at a local pub. Shortly after, she returned home, distraught and in tears, saying, “I have been raped.” He described her appearance, noting that her clothes were soaked and covered in mud, which he later handed over to the police for forensic investigation.

The victim’s mother also gave emotional testimony, recalling how she had gone to bed after exchanging texts with her daughter, only to find her later that night standing in the living room, visibly upset and shaking. “She said, ‘I have been raped,’” the mother recounted tearfully. She immediately called the police, and the victim’s muddy clothing was seized as evidence.

Police Officer Wilson, who arrested Nathan John, testified about the events of the night in Haverfordwest. Wilson found John asleep in bed and, after waking him, placed him under arrest.

The court heard that John was swabbed for DNA.

Next, the Haverfordwest victim took the stand. In her evidence the victim bravely explained that she and John, who appeared intoxicated, had been walking together when he suddenly became violent. She pulled away and then he grabbed her neck.

Before the attack started, the victim recounted how John threatened her, saying, “If anyone harms you, I will kill them,” before showing her a knife.

She described how John then dragged her to a secluded area, where he pulled down her trousers and raped her. Despite her desperate screams for help, no one came to her aid. The victim said she had trusted John, who was part of the same group of friends.

A witness, who is a close friend of the Haverfordwest victim, gave a moving account of the moments following the attack. She described how the victim had banged on her door late at night, frantic and in tears, and told her that Nathan John had raped her.

John was arrested near Haverfordwest train station later that night, and officers testified that he was verbally aggressive, slurring his words, and smelled of alcohol. At one point during his transportation to the police station, he allegedly attempted to headbutt a police officer. Body camera footage also captured him shouting, “I never would disrespect my mother,” while threatening to harm both the police and the victim.

In addition to the witness’s testimony, the court saw body camera footage from the police showing John’s aggressive behaviour during his arrest. He reportedly shouted at the officers, “I’m going to kill you,” and made threats towards the victim and the police officers’ families.

The trial continues.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

3 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

3 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.