Crime

West Wales man jailed for grooming schoolgirl

Published

10 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

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

7 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

8 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.