Crime

Fishguard man jailed for sexual assault on stranger in her own home

Published

22 mins ago

October 31, 2024

A FISHGUARD man who subjected a woman to a “brutal” assault in her own home, dragging her back by her hair when she tried to escape, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Benjamin Guiver, 35, broke into the woman’s Goodwick home on May 24, 2024, while she was asleep, launching a violent attack that has left her emotionally and physically scarred.

Swansea Crown Court heard how the victim, whose identity is protected by law, had fallen asleep around 9:00pm while watching TV in her living room, waiting for her partner’s return. She awoke to find Guiver, a stranger, kneeling beside her. Attempting to flee, she was pursued outside, where Guiver stifled her screams, kicked her, and threw her across the driveway. He then dragged her back inside by her hair, where the assault escalated.

During the ordeal, Guiver repeatedly beat the woman, sexually assaulted her, and choked her while threatening to kill her. She attempted to reason with him, observing that he seemed upset, but he responded with more violence, telling her he intended to rape and kill her. At one point, he repeatedly slammed her head against a radiator. The attack only ended when her relative and partner arrived home, forcing Guiver to flee the property.

The victim’s son, who intervened to stop Guiver, recounted the trauma of hearing his mother’s screams, saying: “I can’t get the noise my mother was making out of my head.”

Guiver was quickly apprehended by Dyfed-Powys Police after officers were alerted by a family member who returned to find the victim covered in blood. The court heard that officers were called to the scene just before 10:30pm, where they discovered the victim with visible injuries. Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Briggs explained: “Our focus was on prioritising her care with the help of paramedics, and getting officers out on the street to find the suspect.” Guiver was arrested nearby shortly after police arrived.

Police enquiries revealed that Guiver had earlier attempted to enter another nearby house. He was charged with six offences on May 26, including sexual assault by penetration, grievous bodily harm with intent, intentional strangulation, trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, threats to kill, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Faced with overwhelming evidence, he pleaded guilty to all charges in court on July 10.

The victim shared in her impact statement that she no longer feels safe in her home, saying, “I am a shell. Constantly nervous and frightened of my own shadow.” She described her struggles with daily activities, relying on her partner to help with tasks like getting dressed. “My whole life has been ruined by one person on one night,” she added. “I know what has happened is going to continue to haunt me for the rest of my life.”

Judge Geraint Walters, who sentenced Guiver to a 20-year prison term, including a 15-year custodial sentence and a five-year extended licence period, condemned the assault as “a brutal and terrifying attack within a person’s own home.” He remarked on Guiver’s apparent lack of remorse during the attack, noting, “She was right to fear that you might kill her because you’d completely lost all reason and control due to the drugs and alcohol you’d consumed that day.”

The victim’s relative, who also suffered injuries during the struggle to stop Guiver, was praised by DCI Briggs for their bravery in intervening during the assault. “They put their own safety at risk to ensure further harm was not caused,” he said.

Following sentencing, DCI Briggs commended the victim’s courage, stating: “The victim in this case has shown immense courage throughout the investigation, and I commend her for that. Suffering such an attack in your own home is unimaginable, and – as she detailed in her statement – has impacted every aspect of her life.” Judge Walters concluded, “The chances are that she won’t ever completely recover from what you did.”

Crime

Fine and points for road traffic offences in Fishguard incident

Published

3 hours ago

October 31, 2024

Court Reporter

A HAVERFORDWEST man, Mervin Craig Bousie, 50, of Y Glyn, Hayscastle, appeared at Carmarthenshire Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Oct 30) to face multiple charges relating to a driving incident last year in Fishguard.

Bousie, driving an Audi TT, was involved in an accident on Llandeloy and Mathry, Fishguard, on Oct 20, 2023, where he failed to stop after causing damage to a Volvo bus.

The court heard that Bousie initially pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea to guilty for several offences.

The charges included driving without due care and attention, failure to stop after an accident, failure to report an accident, and driving without insurance.

Bousie received a £1,080 fine, with nine points added to his licence for the failure to stop and report offences. The court noted his guilty plea when determining the sentence.

In addition to these charges, Bousie was fined another £1,080 for driving without insurance. His driving record was endorsed, and notification was sent to the DVLA regarding his offences. The court allowed him to pay the total £2,160 fine in monthly instalments of £150, starting Nov 13, 2024.

Crime

Ospreys scrum half cleared of designer watch robbery charges

Published

5 hours ago

October 31, 2024

Tom Sinclair

OSPREYS scrum half Luke Davies, alongside three other men, has been acquitted of stealing four designer watches, valued at £1,800, in a case presented at Swansea Crown Court.

Davies, Adam Thomas, Jordan Ball, and Jake Ball, along with former Wales U20 hooker Dom Booth, had faced charges alleging the robbery of two TAG watches, one Breitling, and one Radar from a residence on New Road, Llanelli, on December 24, 2021. Initially, all five men pleaded not guilty, with a trial set for November 18.

However, 24-year-old Booth, of Pyatts Nest in Saundersfoot, later changed his plea to guilty in September. Meanwhile, Davies, of Tir Becca, Tumble; 24-year-old Thomas, of Heol Waunyclun, Trimsaran; Jordan Ball, 25, of Maes Y Glo, Llanelli; and Jake Ball, 21, also of Maes Y Glo, Llanelli, maintained their not guilty pleas.

The case returned to Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Oct 31), where prosecutor Ieuan Rees announced that the Crown Prosecution Service would offer no evidence against the four remaining defendants. Rees cited that the complainant had not cooperated with the prosecution and was under investigation for fraud, questioning his credibility.

Judge Geraint Walters, expressing “great reluctance and a great deal of anxiety,” directed not guilty verdicts for Davies, Thomas, and the Ball brothers.

Booth’s earlier guilty plea is now likely to be challenged, with his representatives expected to apply to vacate the plea.

Davies, 22, who joined Ospreys from Jersey Reds last year after progressing through Scarlets’ ranks, has since made 13 appearances in the United Rugby Championship and represents Wales at the U20 level. Booth, previously with Scarlets, made his debut in the Pro14 against Edinburgh in 2020 and also played for Wales at the U20 level.

Crime

Coroners inquest opened and adjourned following death of schoolgirl, 12

Published

23 hours ago

October 30, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKSHIRE coroner has opened an inquest into the tragic death of Honey Foxx French, 12, from Hakin – who died after emergency services were called to a home on Saturday (Oct 19).

Pembrokeshire assistant coroner Gareth Lewis opened an inquest into the 12-year-old’s death on Wednesday (Oct 30).

The coroner adjourned the inquest until April 10, 2025, to allow for further investigation. He extended his condolences to Honey’s family and friends.

Dyfed-Powys Police have stated that her death is not being treated as suspicious.

In a joint statement, Honey’s school, Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, and Pembrokeshire County Council described her as “much loved and cherished.”

“Honey French was a beloved member of our school community at Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi VA. She was a talented performer and writer who generously shared her humour, time, and talents with our school family and the wider community – she will be deeply missed. Our love, thoughts, and prayers are with her family during this difficult time.”

The police have launched a full investigation, with inquiries ongoing.