Crime

Five officers dismissed after Parc Prison text scandal

Published

9 months ago

September 18, 2025

FIVE officers at Parc Prison in Bridgend have been sacked following a misconduct investigation into disturbing text messages shared between staff — action that follows sustained pressure from this newspaper, campaigners at UK Prisons For Justice, and others exposing conditions at the jail.

The case began last October when four officers were arrested after South Wales Police and the prison service launched an inquiry into social media messages that appeared to boast about using excessive force on inmates. Over the following months a further four officers were arrested.

Police have now confirmed that all eight officers were released without charge after advice from the Crown Prosecution Service. However, G4S – the private company that runs the jail – said disciplinary proceedings have led to five dismissals, two resignations, and one officer receiving a final written warning.

Some of the leaked messages, published earlier this year, showed prison staff making jokes about suicide and gloating about violence towards inmates. One officer claimed: “I punched [him] after he bit me… he threw his food tray in someone’s face so I dropped him.” Another message read: “Let’s push him to go tomorrow so we can drop him.”

The revelations drew fierce criticism from politicians. Ruth Jones MP, chair of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, condemned what she called “derogatory, offensive and abusive” use of social media by staff.

South Wales Police said a specialist team had examined all of the communications and misconduct claims. Detective Chief Inspector Dean Taylor said the approach demonstrated the force’s “commitment to accountability and integrity,” adding that police and G4S were working together to ensure such behaviour would not be tolerated at Parc.

A troubled jail

Parc Prison is the nearest long-term jail to Pembrokeshire and holds many inmates from our county. The Pembrokeshire Herald has been following developments at the prison closely for almost two years, including the imprisonment and hoped-for release of prison campaigner Zack Griffiths. In June 2024 we were the only paper to report live as a riot broke out inside the prison, and we were first to reveal the arrests of officers as part of our ongoing investigations.

Earlier this year a damning inspection report found that standards at Parc had “declined significantly” since G4S secured a new 10-year contract. Inspectors highlighted an “alarming” flow of drugs, windows that could be opened from inside cells, and a record 17 inmate deaths in 2024, five of which were drug-related.

Responding to criticism, G4S said it had a “zero-tolerance approach” to staff behaviour that fell short of expected standards and that “considerable work” had been carried out to address concerns at the prison.

The company added: “We are determined to ensure the men in our care are safe, supported, and can feel optimistic about their futures, and we are working tirelessly on a comprehensive improvement plan at HMP Parc.”

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

16 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

17 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.