News
£5m west Wales mortgage fraud
A WEST WALES estate agent and three businessmen who tried to rig the mortgage market have been jailed today “for their greed and dishonesty.” The four tried to make a fortune out of a rising housing market—and another fortune as prices dipped. Swansea Crown Court heard how in some cases they deliberately defaulted on mortgage payments, and then invented land disputes in the hope of buying back the houses at lower prices.
Ben Pickering, once a prospective Conservative candidate for parliament, and now living at Trevarron, Barrack Lane in Truro, Cornwall, admitted conspiring to defraud banks and building societies. He was jailed for six years. Mark Cainen, of West Cross Avenue in Swansea, and former financial adviser Paul John, aged 44, of Greenfield Crescent, Llansamlet in Swansea, were convicted of the same offence after a trial. Cainen was jailed for eight years and John for three years and four months.
West Wales estate agent Emma Davey,aged 34 of Rhydargaeau in Carmarthen, was jailed for one year, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work for the community. All four now face a Proceeds of Crime Act investigation as the government tries to confiscate the profit made from the £5 million fraud. Carl Harrison, prosecuting, said the four had been involved in a sophisticated conspiracy during which they successfully applied for mortgages using false names, created false identities, invented salaries and tried to manipulate the market to their advantage.
They frequently sold properties to each other and bought computer software capable of producing convincing looking payslips. Mr Harrison said Pickering and Cainen were at the heart of the conspiracy, which ran for eight years. Mr Harrison added: “Pickering and Cainen acted as buyers, sellers and points of contact in the conspiracy and they provided false information such as shadow salary payments, invoices, pay slips and P60 documents giving details of tax said to have been paid.
“There is some evidence Cainen was directing Ben Pickering, telling him what he should do and the order in which he should do it. “They were effectively stealing the identities of other people and companies and taking the identities of people of a similar age to get mortgages approved.” During Cainen’s trial e-mails were produced by the prosecution that showed Cainen saying to Pickering: “Get your smoke and mirrors out.”
Another from Cainen criticised Pickering “for not being a good crook”. At one time Cainen had more than 20 bank accounts in different names and Pickering obtained software to make false pay slips. Paul John was sacked by a Swansea finance firm in 2008 when a colleague found a false mortgage application for his wife in his desk drawer. The court heard after his arrest, Pickering continued to work as a film director and made two successful films, however due to financial hardship, he was now living in the attic of his inlaws’ home.
The judge suspended Davey’s jail term due to previous good character and the fact she was “prevailed upon” Judge Thomas said at the sentencing hearing today: “I have been told in letters on behalf of Pickering that the economic downturn and its effect on the housing market was the driving factor. “I don’t accept that argument in any shape or form, these offences were fraudulent from the outset. This was fuelled not by economic necessity but by greed.”
Crime
Man who threatened to kill Herald editor given suspended prison sentence
A PEMBROKESHIRE man who sent a message threatening to kill Pembrokeshire Herald editor Tom Sinclair has been given a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.
Anthony Jones, aged 34, of Castle Quarry, Long Mains, Monkton, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 23) for sentencing after being found guilty of two offences following a trial earlier this month.
The court heard that on February 24, 2025, Jones sent a communication conveying a threat of death or serious harm, contrary to the Online Safety Act 2023. Magistrates were told he intended, or was reckless as to whether, the recipient would fear the threat would be carried out.
Jones was also convicted of racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress following an incident on April 8, 2025, in Pembroke involving a police officer.
Magistrates imposed a total custodial sentence of 26 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, for the threats against Mr Sinclair. He was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to the victim, £640 prosecution costs, and a £154 surcharge.
For the racially aggravated harassment offence, Jones received a separate 12-week prison sentence, also suspended for 12 months, to run concurrently, together with £200 compensation.
The court was told the offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified, with magistrates noting the defendant had shown a “flagrant disregard for people” and had targeted the victim with serious threats.
A victim personal statement from Mr Sinclair was read to the court by the prosecutor.
The custodial sentences were suspended after the court heard Jones had not offended for some time, was employed, had children, and was assessed by probation as not presenting a high risk of harm or reoffending.
Crime
Man remanded in custody over Tenby assault allegations
A MAN has been remanded in custody after appearing before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with causing serious injuries to a woman in Tenby.
Lewis Thompson-Gill, aged 35, of Worcester Road, Little Witley, Worcestershire, is accused of assaulting a female on December 28, 2025, causing actual bodily harm.
He also faces a further charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent in relation to the same incident.
The court heard the case during a mention hearing on Monday (Feb 23).
Thompson-Gill previously entered a not guilty plea to the assault occasioning actual bodily harm charge. A plea to the grievous bodily harm charge has not yet been recorded.
Magistrates remanded him in custody due to concerns he could commit further offences, cause injury or fear of injury to an associated person, or interfere with witnesses.
The custody time limit in relation to the assault charge expires on March 9, while the limit for the grievous bodily harm allegation expires on April 13.
The case was adjourned for trial at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on March 2 at 2:00pm. The hearing is expected to last around two and a half hours.
The Crown Prosecution Service has been directed to serve the full case file on the defendant before the next hearing.
Crime
Eleven-year jail term for rape after judge finds victim ‘particularly vulnerable’
A MAN from Newport has been jailed for eleven years after being convicted of raping a woman who was asleep and physically vulnerable.
Yogesh Parmar, aged 35, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Feb 23) following a trial in which jurors heard harrowing details of the abuse suffered by the victim.
Sentencing, Her Honour Judge Catherine Richards said the complainant had been “particularly vulnerable” at the time of the attack because of her small physical stature and the fact she was asleep when the rape occurred.
The court heard Parmar placed heavy gym weights against the bedroom door to prevent the woman from leaving the room.
In her personal statement, the victim said that when she told Parmar his behaviour was harming her, he responded by telling her to “get used to it”.
It was also heard that he dismissed her distress by describing her as “hormonal” when she reacted to his pattern of abuse. The victim told the court she regarded Parmar as “a predator”.
In mitigation, defence counsel argued the complainant had “woken to him effectively having intercourse”.
Alongside the eleven-year custodial sentence for rape, Parmar was handed a 20-year restraining order. He also received a two-year concurrent sentence on a separate count of controlling and coercive behaviour.
Judge Richards told the defendant the offences represented a grave breach of trust and had caused lasting harm to the victim.
Parmar will serve his sentence in custody before being subject to restrictions upon release.
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