Crime

Garage boss cleared of rape charge

Published

9 months ago

October 3, 2025

Court Reporter

Jury acquits Haverfordwest man of allegation dating back to 2009

A GARAGE owner has been cleared by a jury of an allegation that he raped a woman more than twenty years ago.

Ceri Morgan, 61, of Cardigan Road, Haverfordwest, was found not guilty at Swansea Crown Court. The charge related to an incident said to have taken place in Haverfordwest between November and December 2009. Morgan, who runs Haverfordwest Auto Centre, denied a single count of rape throughout the proceedings.

The court heard that the complainant told Morgan “no” but alleged he continued regardless. Prosecutor Robin Rouch said she “felt scared throughout,” adding: “She had been ignored and froze. The realisation of what he had done struck her and she started crying.”

Afterwards, the woman confided in a friend, who urged her to contact the police. She also spoke to her doctor, who made a note of what she said. At the time she chose not to take the matter further, but she changed her mind years later and formally reported the allegation on December 18, 2021.

Morgan attended a voluntary interview at Haverfordwest police station in 2022, where he rejected the allegation. He told officers he “didn’t know what she was talking about” and denied ever forcing the complainant to have sex.

The trial was briefly adjourned at the outset for legal arguments, held in the absence of the jury. The judge ruled that the jury would be told of Morgan’s conviction for raping a different woman in Gwent in 1999, describing it as relevant because it could demonstrate a “propensity to commit offences of the relatively rare kind now charged.” The court also reminded jurors that questioning of complainants in sexual offence trials is tightly controlled under section 41 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999.

While the case was pending, Morgan was on bail under conditions that included a nightly curfew from 7:00pm to 7:00am, surrendering his passport, and not contacting the complainant.

After hearing all the evidence, the jury acquitted Morgan of the charge.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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.