Crime
More than 1,100 sexual offences reported in Pembrokeshire
Dyfed-Powys Police urge victims to come forward as prosecutions fall
MORE than 1,100 sexual offences have been reported in Pembrokeshire over the past three years, new figures show.
Statistics obtained by Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice reveal that 1,195 offences were recorded in the county between 2022 and 2025.
Across the Dyfed-Powys Police area, 1,666 sexual offences were recorded in 2024/25 alone, compared with 1,495 in 2023/24 and 1,751 in 2022/23.
Campaigners say the figures highlight an ongoing rise in reporting, but warn the majority of victims are still not coming forward.
Carmarthenshire records highest figures
Carmarthenshire saw the highest number of offences across the force area, with 1,537 cases recorded since 2022. Pembrokeshire was next with 1,195, followed by Powys (1,131) and Ceredigion (977).
The most common offences include sexual assault on females (694 cases) and rape of females aged 16 and over (636 cases). Other recorded crimes include sexual assaults on children, exposure, voyeurism and sexual communication with children.
Survivors call for change
Policy Advisor at The Survivors Trust, Lucy Duckworth, said many victims are reluctant to report offences due to fear of retraumatisation.
“Of the 15% of offences that are reported, only 1.6% will result in a prosecution,” she said talking about the national figures. She added: “This isn’t a system that needs reforming, but one that simply isn’t working and isn’t delivering for victims.”
She also called for a cultural shift to tackle what she described as a “victim-blaming culture.”
Police response
Detective Superintendent Anthony Evans, force lead for Rape and Serious Sexual Offences, told The Herald:
“Dyfed-Powys Police recognises the physical and psychological harm that rape and sexual offences inflict on individuals and the wider community.
“One of our priorities as a force is to provide a compassionate response to victims of rape and serious sexual assault, and the relentless pursuit of offenders.
“We work closely with partner agencies, the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner, and third sector agencies to provide a robust and co-ordinated victim-centred response to crimes of this nature.
“We encourage anyone who is a victim of rape or sexual assault to come forward and report these crimes to us. We have specially trained officers and partners who are ready to offer the support needed, as we seek to bring offenders to justice.”
Prosecutions and compensation
The figures come as the Crown Prosecution Service faces growing criticism over abandoned rape prosecutions, which have risen nationally from 160 in 2020/21 to 608 in 2024/25.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority reported 14,665 applications for sexual assault or abuse compensation in 2024/25, up from 10,309 two years earlier. But the number of settled claims and payouts fell sharply, from 5,703 claims worth £65.2 million in 2022/23 to just 2,217 claims worth £23.4 million in 2024/25.
Crime
Pembrokeshire hairdresser avoids prison after pub assault
When a Fishguard mobile hairdresser was branded a chav in her local pub, she took umbrage by throwing a glass of gin at the woman who had spoken the words.
But this week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that when the glass shattered into the victim’s face, the woman sustained lacerations to her neck and chin.
Appearing before the Bench was 43-year-old Donna Thomas of White Lodge, Dyffryn, Goodwick, who pleaded guilty to assaulting Hannah Llewellyn, causing her actual bodily harm.
The court was told that Thomas arrived at The Royal Oak pub in Fishguard, at around 8pm on October 18, accompanied by her husband. Approximately an hour later, Hannah Llewellyn arrived.
“The defendant began speaking to the victim and an argument broke out,” said Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies.
“The defendant hit the victim to her face with a glass which smashed against her face, neck and skin, causing lacerations.”
Photographs of the lacerations were shown to the Bench.
But the probation service stressed that the assault had been prompted by a derogatory remark made to the defendant by Hannah Llewellyn.
“The defendant had had two drinks earlier that evening, she drank two more at the pub prior to the incident, and was tipsy but was aware of what was happening around her,” commented the probation officer.
“She went over to the table where the victim was sitting, her husband introduced her to the victim who he’d known since his school days, and they began discussing land on friendly terms. But the victim then laughed at the defendant’s job, which is a self-employed mobile hairdresser, and called her a chav.
“Without thinking, Donna Thomas went to throw the drink over the victim’s face but she knocked the glass. She didn’t intend to hurt her physically, but just wanted to throw the drink.”
Thomas was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody suspended for 18 months. During this time she must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. She was ordered to pay £750 compensation to Hannah Llewellyn, a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.
Crime
Farm worker overturns Mercedes when over drink-drive limit
A Pembrokeshire farm worker has lost his licence after overturning his Mercedes when he was over the drink-drive limit.
This week Haverfordwest magistrates were told that at around 3.40pm on January 10, police received reports that a black Mercedes had been involved in a single vehicle road collision on the A487 at Roch.
When officers arrived, they discovered the overturned Mercedes with its driver, Richard James, 45, trapped in the driving seat.
At around 5 pm James was arrested and transported to Withybush hospital where blood samples were carried out. These gave a reading of 112 mcg of alcohol, the legal limit being 80.
James, of Bryn Seion, Solva, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill who informed magistrates that the defendant had collected items for work on the afternoon in question.
“He’d consumed alcohol the night before and had also taken some prescribed medication,” she said. “He believed he would be safe to drive the following day, but obviously this wasn’t the case.”
Jess Hill added that James is expecting to lose his employment as a farm worker, as the mandatory driving ban will prevent him from driving the vehicles involved with his work.
James was disqualified from driving for 14 months and ordered to pay a £346 fine, a £138 court surcharge and £85 costs.
Crime
Pembrokeshire man charged with making hundreds of indecent images of children
A PEMBROKESHIRE man has appeared before magistrates charged with making hundreds of indecent images of children.
David Lewis, 42, is accused of making 261 of the most serious category A images of a child together with 71 category B images and 51 category C images of a child. The offences are alleged to have been committed between March 19, 2025 and August 6, 2025.
He is further accused of distributing one indecent category A image of a child at an undisclosed location in Llanteg, Narberth, on July 27, 2025.
This week Lewis – formerly of Ashdale Lane, Pembroke but now residing at Hoopers Guest House in Swansea – appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates where he submitted no pleas to all four charges.
Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told magistrates that a total of 81,000 images and videos are currently being investigated in respect of the defendant, with the result that the police enquiry is not yet complete.
“A lot of these photographs are of babies, with the result that their severity is not suitable for the magistrates court,” Dennis Davies told the Haverfordwest Bench.
As a result of the Crown’s comments, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the matter will now be dealt with by Swansea Crown Court, commencing on May 29. Lewis was released on unconditional bail.
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