Crime

West Wales man jailed for grooming schoolgirl

Published

6 months ago

September 4, 2025

Court Reporter

Victim became pregnant after abuse that left her feeling “worthless”

A WEST WALES man has been jailed after grooming a schoolgirl, having sex with her, and getting her pregnant.

Liam Peat, 25, of Heol y Graig, Crynant, appeared at Swansea Crown Court where he was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison after admitting two counts of sexual activity with a child.

The court heard Peat began communicating with the girl on Snapchat when he was 19 and she was just 13. Their conversations, which began innocently, soon became sexual in nature. He requested explicit images, sent her sexual videos of himself, and told her to delete the evidence.

As the relationship developed, the pair met up in secret on a number of occasions. Prosecutor Dyfed Thomas said Peat manipulated the child and gained her trust before having intercourse with her when she was 14 and 15. Protection was “rarely” used.

The girl later became pregnant and told her mother, who alerted police. At first, she did not feel able to make a formal complaint, but in 2023 she decided she wanted justice.

When interviewed, Peat initially denied knowing her real age and claimed he thought she was older. He later admitted the offences on the day his trial was due to start, after the victim arrived at court prepared to give evidence.

In a statement read to the court, the girl said the abuse had left her feeling “worthless” and at times not wanting to be alive, but added she was determined not to let what happened control her future.

The court was told Peat had no previous convictions but did have two cautions for battery from separate incidents on nights out. His barrister, Matt Murphy, said he had acted as an immature young man and also suffered from ADHD, but accepted prison was inevitable.

Judge Paul Thomas KC said Peat had “inveigled” himself into the child’s life, grooming her while he was an adult. He said any remorse was “late in the day” and only shown once the victim was ready to give evidence against him.

Peat was sentenced to 45 months in custody.

Crime

Man sentenced for stalking Milford Haven woman

Published

2 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates

A MAN has been sentenced after admitting stalking a woman in Milford Haven.

Andrew Richards, 39, of High Street, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

Richards had previously pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

The court heard that between December 2, 2025 and February 15, 2026, he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of Tamsin Matthias and which he knew, or ought to have known, amounted to harassment.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until September 8, 2027.

As part of the order, Richards must undertake alcohol treatment for nine months under the direction of the probation service.

He must also complete up to twenty days of rehabilitation activity as directed by probation.

Richards was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £500 compensation to the victim, £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court made a restraining order lasting until September 8, 2027.

Under the order, Richards must not contact the victim directly or indirectly and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material on social media or the internet referring to her directly or indirectly.

The court heard a victim personal statement from the complainant, which was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was prosecuted by Dennis Davies, with Richards represented by Mike Kelleher.

The hearing was before magistrates Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.

Crime

Man, 80, sentenced for stalking after campaign of unwanted emails and posters

Published

2 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed after Haverfordwest case

A MAN has been sentenced for stalking after admitting a campaign of unwanted contact and harassment in Haverfordwest.

Michael Lockheart, 80, of Daisy Lane, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

The court had previously heard that between July 27 and September 10, 2025, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to stalking.

The offence involved sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop making contact, putting up defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to the complainant’s GP and local authority.

Lockheart had entered a guilty plea to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, on January 27, 2026.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until March 8, 2028.

As part of that order, Lockheart must undergo non-residential mental health treatment for 12 months under Dr Cormac Duffy, as directed by probation.

He must also complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

Lockheart was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, a £600 fine, £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court also made a restraining order lasting until March 8, 2028.

Under that order, he must not seek, approach or communicate with the complainant by any means, directly or indirectly. He must not knowingly enter any address where she is living, and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material online or on social media referring to her directly or by implication.

A victim personal statement was read to the court by the prosecutor.