Crime

Senedd rejects call for child sex abuse inquiry, but agrees audit

Published

1 year ago

February 14, 2025

SENEDD Members rejected calls for a Wales-wide independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation by so-called grooming gangs, supporting plans for an audit instead.

The Conservatives’ Altaf Hussain backed a campaign led by Emily Vaughn, not her real name, a victim of exploitation and trafficking, for an inquiry into the scale of the issue.

Aged 11, Emily was forced into trafficking drugs for a “county lines” gang then taken from her home in south Wales to Telford where she was continually sexually assaulted.

Mr Hussain told the Senedd: “Talking about her years of abuse and torture Emily said, ‘When I first reported what happened to me to the police, they did not help me. They did not even know what it was or understand what they were doing.’

“And sadly, we know from the UK independent inquiry that Emily’s story is far from unique. Girls and boys trafficked, abused and ignored by those supposed to protect them.”

While Senedd Members voted 34-13 against the Tory motion, Plaid Cymru’s amendment – which called for an all-Wales audit – was unanimously agreed.

Mr Hussain said Emily has criticised those seeking to “shut down” debate. “The more you talk about it, the more children at risk of being groomed can be saved,” she told him.

Pointing to her petition for a Wales-wide inquiry, he quoted Emily as saying: “Look at the map of the UK – do politicians think that grooming gangs stop when it comes to Wales? People who exploit children don’t care about borders.”

Labour’s Lee Waters intervened, criticising former Tory group leader Andrew RT Davies for “focusing specifically on the role of what he calls Pakistani men in grooming gangs”.

Mr Hussain stressed that grooming gangs are not limited to any one group, saying they come from all walks of life, races and religions.

Leading a debate on February 12, the shadow social justice secretary said: “The only way we can treat victims with compassion, deliver them justice and ensure no other child suffers in silence is to listen … and victims like Emily are shouting out for a Wales-wide inquiry.”

Plaid Cymru’s Sioned Williams urged Welsh ministers to implement the recommendations of Professor Alexis Jay’s 2022 independent UK inquiry “without any further delay”.

Plaid Cymru's shadow social justice minister, Sioned Williams — Plaid Cymru’s shadow social justice minister, Sioned Williams

Her party’s amendment advocated an all-Wales audit into the scale of nature of gang-based exploitation before considering whether to commission a further independent inquiry.

Ms Williams said: “Prof Jay has warned that another inquiry would delay justice for survivors and that must be the priority.”

She called for urgent action on specialist therapeutic support for child victims of sexual abuse, with long waiting lists and many parts of Wales having no services at all.

Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds, a social worker for 27 years, supported Plaid Cymru’s position, saying: “I don’t believe there should be an inquiry at this point. We’ve already had a very detailed inquiry.”

Jane Dodds MS, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats

Raising concerns about language, she warned the term “grooming gangs” has been used and will continue to be used by the right to “whip up” outrage and fury.

Jane Hutt, the Welsh Government’s social justice secretary, told the Senedd: “I want to reinforce the importance of learning from and delivering on the recommendations of the comprehensive independent inquiry into child sexual abuse.”

Pledging to implement the six recommendations, Ms Hutt said ministers will soon consult on a new ten-year strategy for preventing and responding to child sexual abuse.

Jane Hutt, Trefnydd and chief whip — Jane Hutt, social justice secretary, Trefnydd and chief whip

She raised the role of a national audit which was commissioned by the UK Government in response to similar calls for an inquiry in Westminster.

Darren Millar, leader of the Conservative opposition, said: “Child sexual exploitation is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. It not only robs children of their innocence but it causes a lifetime of trauma for victims, particularly when perpetrators go unpunished.”

Mr Millar added that listening to Emily’s experiences convinced him of the case for an independent Wales-wide inquiry to get to grips with the issue once and for all.

He said: “We know from the work by Prof Jay, that the only place that she looked at in Wales was Swansea and she found evidence of criminal gangs exploiting children for sex.

“What would have happened if she’d have looked in Cardiff, Newport, Bangor, Colwyn Bay or Wrexham? I suspect she may have found things there but they haven’t been looked at.

“Unfortunately, that’s why we do not know the extent of these problems across our country.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

19 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

20 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.

Crime

Publican jailed for six years for supplying cocaine and cannabis

Published

20 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Milford Haven man sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following drug dealing operation

A MILFORD HAVEN publican has been jailed for six years after admitting supplying cocaine and cannabis.

The defendant, who previously appeared before magistrates and was remanded in custody, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following an investigation into drug dealing activity linked to the town.

The court heard that he had been involved in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs, with evidence including material recovered by police and analysis of mobile phone data. Investigators said the activity had been ongoing since at least 2024.

Cocaine, a Class A drug, carries the most serious penalties under UK law, and the involvement of both cocaine and cannabis was reflected in the length of the sentence imposed.

During proceedings, the court was told that the case went beyond isolated incidents, with the defendant playing a significant role in the supply chain. The judge said the offending was serious and sustained, warranting an immediate custodial sentence.

He was sentenced to six years in prison.

The case had previously been heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where the defendant was remanded due to the seriousness of the allegations before being sent to the Crown Court for sentencing.