Crime
Jury due to retire in the case of Nathan John, accused of raping two 16-year-old girls
THE JURY will soon retire deliberate in the trial of 19-year-old Nathan John, a Milford Haven resident accused of raping two 16-year-old girls — one in Milford Haven and the other in Haverfordwest.
The charges stem from two separate incidents, the first occurring in October 2022 and the second in May 2024.
John, of Richard John Road, Milford Haven, faces a total of seven sexual charges, including two charges of rape. He denies all seven offences. He took the stand on Wednesday (Oct 16) to give his account of events under oath. Dressed in a white shirt and black tie, he described the night of the first attack, which allegedly took place on 2nd October 2022.
The defendant testified that he and the first complainant had a friendly relationship, exchanging messages and attending the same college. On the night in question, John said he encountered the complainant at Nos Da Bar on Victoria Road while out with friends. He admitted consuming several alcoholic drinks, including a pint of Coors, four apple sours, two apple cokes, and a Jägerbomb.
According to John, he and the complainant shared a kiss at the bar before parting ways. Later, at Circles Nightclub, John claimed the complainant approached him again, and he offered to walk her home. He told the court that they were “having a laugh” before engaging in what he insists was consensual sexual intercourse. John said that a disagreement arose afterward when the complainant suggested the encounter was non-consensual. He added that he felt guilty because he had been unfaithful to his then-partner and that the complainant initially promised to keep the incident secret before changing her mind, which he found confusing.
The court was shown video footage from police bodycams taken at the time of John’s arrest. In the footage, John is heard crying and saying, “I don’t know what I have done, I just got excited,” while experiencing what was described as a panic attack. He also stated, “You can’t arrest me because there was consent, this has happened before, I haven’t done anything…”
The prosecution, led by James Hartson of Angel Chambers, questioned John about the second alleged incident on 16th May 2024, in Haverfordwest. The court heard that this second complainant was also 16 years old at the time. John admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse with her on a platform halfway up a set of steps off Castle Square but maintained that the interaction was consensual. He described the two as flirting throughout the evening and claimed he called the complainant “beautiful” before they shared a kiss.
However, John said that when the complainant asked to stop midway through the encounter, he complied. He admitted that his remark, calling the complainant “a dirty girl,” may have offended her, but clarified that it was meant as “sex talk.” John told the court that at no point did he use force or violence, nor did the complainant shout for help.
Forensic evidence was presented to the court, including swabs taken from both complainants. The first complainant’s oral swabs revealed the presence of male DNA, indicating oral ejaculation, while no semen was detected on vaginal swabs. John’s DNA was also found on genital swabs. In the case of the second complainant, male DNA was detected on the internal vaginal swab, which the defence argued supported John’s claim of consensual intercourse.
During cross-examination, Hartson suggested that John became aggressive after consuming alcohol on both occasions. He also highlighted inconsistencies in John’s statements, particularly in his initial police interview, where John denied any sexual contact rather than claiming it was consensual. The prosecution accused John of “spinning a web of lies,” arguing that his behaviour was driven by alcohol-fuelled aggression.
The jury was reminded of key evidence, including the first complainant’s detailed memory of her jacket being thrown to the ground during the alleged attack—information which the prosecution argued was “very precise.”
The jury will shortly to consider its verdict, with the outcome of the case expected in the coming days.
(The image used in this article, is not a photograph, but an artists impression of the defendant in the dock – as cameras are not allowed in court)
A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared before magistrates charged with possessing a machete and a knuckle duster at his home in Milford Haven.
Bradley Southall, 49, is also accused of possessing a quantity of cannabis with intent to supply, and of being concerned in the supply of the Class B drug.
The charges follow his arrest at a property in Precelly Place, Milford Haven, on September 9, 2024.
This week, Southall appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court where he denied all four charges. He claimed the knuckle duster was a family heirloom and said he uses the machete for gardening purposes.
At the request of the Crown Prosecution Service, magistrates declined jurisdiction and committed the case to Swansea Crown Court. His trial is scheduled to begin on May 9.
Southall was released on unconditional bail.
A MAN accused of attacking another man at a pub in Pembroke Dock will face trial later this year.
Stuart York, aged 60, of Wellington Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Swansea Crown Court charged with unlawful wounding following an incident at The Prince of Wales pub on May 30, 2023.
It is alleged that York pushed a man and caused grievous bodily harm to the back of his head.
He pleaded not guilty.
The court heard that York denies being the man seen on CCTV footage of the incident, claiming he was barred from the premises at the time and did not drink alcohol.
Judge Huw Rees set a trial date for August 21. York was granted bail.
CRYPTOCURRENCY FRAUDS MOST COMMON SCAM TYPE, SAYS ACTION FRAUD
MORE than £649 million was lost to investment fraud across the UK in 2024, with over £2 million of that total lost in the Dyfed-Powys Police area.
New data from Action Fraud shows a worrying rise in the scale and impact of scams, even as the number of individual reports has fallen.
A total of 25,843 reports of investment fraud were received last year — a 7 per cent decrease compared to 2023 — but the financial losses jumped by 13 per cent, highlighting that scams are becoming fewer but more costly.
The most common type of fraud involved cryptocurrency, featuring in 66 per cent of all reports — up 16 per cent on the previous year.
Criminals targeting all age groups
The age group most likely to be targeted was 35 to 44, but those aged 55 to 64 suffered the highest financial losses, according to the figures.
Investment fraud typically involves criminals persuading victims — often out of the blue — to put money into high-return schemes or products that are either worthless or entirely fictitious. Popular cons include investments in foreign exchange, gold, precious metals, overseas timeshares, and cryptocurrency.
‘If it sounds too good to be true…’
Detective Superintendent Oliver Little, from the City of London Police, which leads the national response to investment fraud, said: “Investment fraud continues to be a key focus area because of its prevalence — which is evident from the stark figure of £649 million lost last year.
“It may seem obvious, but we always stress the age-old saying: If it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is.
“These fraudsters are often highly skilled at making their pitch sound convincing. Don’t be tempted by the promise of ‘easy money’ — legitimate investing is never simple or risk-free.”
He added that people should always research opportunities independently, check the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register, and avoid taking advice from strangers or over social media.
Social media: A fraudster’s playground
Social media continues to be a key enabler for fraud, with 36 per cent of investment scams starting on a platform. WhatsApp was the most common, used in 40 per cent of scams, followed by Facebook (18 per cent) and Instagram (14 per cent).
Criminals often impersonate well-known celebrities to gain credibility. In 2024, the most impersonated figure was money-saving expert Martin Lewis — whose name was used in 44 per cent of these cons. Other popular names used by scammers included Elon Musk (40 per cent) and Jeremy Clarkson (8 per cent).
Action Fraud said AI-generated images and deepfake videos were increasingly being used to give scams a false sense of authenticity.
Warning signs to watch for
According to Action Fraud, there are several red flags that often signal a fraudulent investment opportunity:
- Contact via social media or WhatsApp: Unsolicited investment messages are a major red flag. Block and report the sender.
- Promises of guaranteed high returns: Cryptocurrency and trading frauds made up 75 per cent of all scam types. Be sceptical of anyone promising returns of 10–20 per cent or more.
- Use of celebrity endorsements: Fake ads using celebrities like Martin Lewis and Elon Musk cost UK victims over £10 million last year.
How to protect yourself
- Take your time: Legitimate companies will never rush you into investing.
- Get advice: Speak to someone you trust, or consult a qualified financial advisor.
- Check the FCA register: Make sure the company is authorised. If it’s not, you won’t be protected if something goes wrong.
- Be wary of recovery scams: Victims are often targeted again by criminals claiming they can recover lost funds — for a fee.
Help and advice
If you’ve been a victim of investment fraud:
- Contact Action Fraud via www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040 (England, Wales, Northern Ireland).
- In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.
- Report unregulated firms to the FCA using the form on their website or call 0800 111 6768.
- Check your credit rating regularly in case of identity theft.
- Seek legal advice — fraud cases can also give rise to civil legal claims, including the tort of deceit and breach of contract.
For tips on staying safe, visit: https://www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart or https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk
Teaching assistant forced to act after child left in locked toilet cubicle for hours
Boy shut himself in to avoid assembly A CLASSROOM assistant used a 20p coin to unlock a toilet cubicle and...
Haverfordwest man remanded over strangulation charge
A HAVERFORDWEST man has been remanded in custody after denying a string of serious domestic abuse allegations, including the intentional...
Port issues urgent statement following Milford Haven laser incident
THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has issued an urgent public statement about the serious risks and legal consequences associated with...
Milford man denies GBH assault on ex-partner’s 70-year-old grandfather
A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared in court accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm on his ex-partner’s 70-year-old grandad. Tommy...
Baby number two on the way for critically endangered rhino at Folly Farm
PREGNANCY is always a reason to celebrate, but when it involves a critically endangered species like the Eastern black rhino,...
Floating wind farm boom could bring jobs bonanza to Pembrokeshire
Milford Haven among ports shortlisted for turbine assembly as £1.4bn Celtic Sea energy project nears final stage PEMBROKE PORT in...
Carmarthenshire kidnap victim speaks out: ‘I thought I was going to die’
THE MUSIC producer lured to West Wales and brutally assaulted in a staged kidnap plot has spoken publicly for the...
Welsh pensioners to receive state pension increase amidst mixed reactions
STARTING this month, over 600,000 pensioners across Wales will see their State Pensions rise by up to £470 annually, following...
Spot checks uncover taxi issues in Milford Haven and Neyland
Six suspensions, untaxed vehicle and missing badges found SPOT checks on taxis and private hire vehicles in Milford Haven, Neyland...
Fire chief praises crews for response to grass fires
Over 250 incidents tackled during dry spell THE CHIEF Fire Officer of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service...
-
News6 days agoWales faces deepening housing crisis as new figures show drop in home building
-
Crime4 days agoHakin drug dealer caught twice in two counties
-
Business7 days agoValero refinery escapes Trump’s new tariffs
-
Crime7 days agoMan avoids jail despite possessing child abuse images
-
Charity6 days agoRoyal visit celebrates Pembrokeshire charity’s community impact
-
Crime6 days agoFined for dropping cigarette at Milford Haven Tesco
-
Crime6 days ago
Pembroke woman sentenced for drug possession and assault on PC
-
News6 days agoPembroke Dock boy walks out with Spurs captain at Stamford Bridge