Crime

South Wales Police refuse to name officer guilty of misconduct

Published

1 year ago

March 13, 2025

SOUTH WALES POLICE is facing growing scrutiny after refusing to disclose the identity of an officer who misused force computer systems over two years, leaking sensitive information to members of the public.

The officer, known only as ‘Officer F,’ received a criminal caution for illegally accessing police data but was not prosecuted. His identity was also kept secret during a misconduct hearing, despite similar cases in which officers have been publicly named and prosecuted. The force claims anonymity was granted due to concerns about the health and well-being of a child unrelated to the officer’s actions, but legal precedents suggest this does not justify withholding the name.

The Herald has pressed South Wales Police for further transparency, asking how the decision aligns with open justice principles. The force has cited Regulation 59 of the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 as the basis for its decision, stating that the misconduct hearing was held in public but with the officer’s identity protected. However, past legal rulings, including Khuja v Times Newspapers (2017), have reinforced that distress or reputational damage alone is not sufficient grounds for anonymity in such cases.

Other police officers guilty of similar misconduct have been named and prosecuted. Former South Wales Police Inspector Joseph Jones was jailed for two months for misusing police records, while ex-North Wales PC Andrew Nuttall was sentenced to unpaid work for similar offences. Unlike them, Officer F’s identity remains protected, raising concerns about consistency and transparency in the handling of police misconduct.

Paul Fisher, Head of News at South Wales Police, responded to The Herald’s request for Officer F’s identity, stating that no media challenges were made before or during the hearing. However, the force has not clarified whether press organisations were proactively informed that anonymity was being considered, ensuring they had a fair opportunity to challenge the decision.

The Herald, alongside Wales Online, has written to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Emma Wools to challenge the decision. Both organisations believe in the right to report and the importance of holding those in authority accountable.

This case raises fundamental questions about public confidence in policing. Open justice ensures that those who misuse their positions of power can be scrutinised by the press and the public. Without proper transparency, the public cannot be assured that police officers who abuse their authority will face meaningful consequences.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

22 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

23 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.