Crime

Call for reform of compensation scheme for child abuse victims

Published

10 months ago

September 1, 2025

A CHARITY has warned that children in Pembrokeshire and across Wales who are abused online are being denied justice under an outdated compensation system.

The Marie Collins Foundation, which supports victims of technology-assisted child sexual abuse, has sent an open letter to the Ministry of Justice calling for urgent reform of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS). The letter is co-signed by major child protection organisations and backed by MP Sarah Champion, who has tabled an amendment to the Victims and Courts Bill.

‘Two-tier system of justice’

Campaigners say the current scheme fails many young people groomed and coerced online, despite a Court of Appeal ruling in 2023 that such abuse can amount to a “crime of violence”. As a result, victims in Wales are being refused compensation – something which survivors and frontline services say creates a “two-tier system of justice.”

The proposed reforms would:

Make all victims of child sexual abuse eligible, including those harmed online.
End automatic exclusions for victims with criminal convictions linked to their abuse.
Give survivors seven years from reporting the crime – or from their 18th birthday – to apply.

Local impact

While the letter is national, the issue has clear relevance in West Wales. Dyfed-Powys Police, which covers Pembrokeshire, recorded more than 400 online child abuse image offences last year. Child protection workers say those numbers reflect only a fraction of the harm being caused in local communities.

Rhiannon-Faye McDonald, Head of Advocacy at the Marie Collins Foundation, said: “Children who are groomed, coerced, and abused online suffer trauma that is just as real and devastating as physical abuse. Yet the current system treats them as less deserving of justice.”

Sarah Champion MP added: “It is disturbing that we currently have a hierarchy of harm – online child abuse is still abuse and is equally damaging.”

Case study

The Foundation highlighted the case of Charlotte, who was groomed online at the age of 12 and threatened with violence if she spoke out. When images of her abuse were later shared among her peers, she was initially denied compensation on the grounds that the crimes were not considered “violent.” She eventually won her appeal, but campaigners say the process caused further avoidable trauma.

With children here spending more time online than ever before, local safeguarding groups say the law must recognise the realities of modern abuse. Reforming the scheme, they argue, would not only deliver justice for survivors but also send a clear message that technology-assisted child sexual abuse is every bit as serious as physical offences.

Crime

Dock woman given mental health treatment order after supermarket thefts

Published

2 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKE DOCK woman has been placed on a mental health treatment requirement after repeatedly stealing meat, cheese and other grocery items from local supermarkets.

Lisa Stewart, 45, admitted three theft offences when she appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

The first offence took place on March 11, when Stewart stole Vanish, Lenor and three packs of Persil capsules from Home Bargains in Pembroke Dock, with a total value of £58.41.

The following month, she stole four small beef joints, four steaks and three blocks of cheese from Asda in Pembroke Dock, worth £55.68.

Seven days later, she stole four legs of lamb from Farmfoods in Pembroke Dock, valued at £99.96.

Stewart, of Truscott House, London Road, Pembroke Dock, also pleaded guilty to failing to surrender to police bail on or around May 26.

She was represented in court by solicitor Alaw Harries, who told magistrates the thefts involved items of relatively low value and were not the result of “sophisticated offending”.

“The defendant has had an exceptionally difficult time, as last year she lost her partner to cancer and has struggled profoundly to process that grief,” said Ms Harries.

“Instead, she has attempted to cope by taking more of her prescribed medication than she should. And this is what has led her to be here today.”

Ms Harries said Stewart is now motivated to address her issues.

Magistrates sentenced Stewart to an 18-month community order. She must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, a 12-month mental health treatment requirement and a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

The order will include monthly reviews in court.

Stewart must also pay £214.05 compensation to the supermarkets, together with a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Grandmother banned after cocaine drug-drive offence

Published

2 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A GRANDMOTHER has been banned from the roads after being caught behind the wheel with 800 mcg of a cocaine metabolite in her system.

Eleri Phillips, 57, was stopped by police in the early hours of December 18 as she drove her Audi Q5 along Derwent Avenue, Steynton.

A roadside drugs swipe proved positive, and further blood tests carried out at the police station showed she had 45 mcg of cocaine in her system and 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite.

The legal limits are 10 mcg and 50 mcg respectively.

Phillips, of Brook Close, Steynton, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. She was legally represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher.

“She is absolutely ashamed of what has happened,” Mr Kelleher told the court.

“She had been out with friends that evening and someone offered her cocaine. Very foolishly, she took it.

“As a result, she is now going to be disqualified from driving, which is going to cause problems not only for her but for her family, as she regularly helps look after her grandchildren with general pick-ups from school.”

Phillips was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £120. She must also pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Crime

Milford Haven builder banned for second drug-driving offence

Published

2 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Court hears cannabis reading was five times the legal limit

A SELF-EMPLOYED builder has been banned from the road after committing his second drug-driving offence in ten years.

Robert Duncan, 44, was stopped by police at around 6:00pm on January 31 as he drove a Ford Focus along Steynton Road, Milford Haven.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that officers had been observing the vehicle before requesting it to stop.

Duncan provided a positive roadside drugs wipe, and later blood tests showed he had 10mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told magistrates that this was Duncan’s second drug-driving offence within ten years.

Duncan, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drug-driving.

He was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher, who said Duncan had believed the drug would have left his system by the time he got behind the wheel.

“He believed the drug would have been out of his system when he was driving, but it can take a considerable length of time to go,” said Mr Kelleher.

“In fact, this is the drug that takes the longest amount of time.”

Mr Kelleher said Duncan worked as a self-employed builder, but was currently unable to work large amounts of time because of family commitments.

Magistrates disqualified Duncan from driving for three years. He was also fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £32 surcharge.