Crime
Fewer than half of victims believe they can get justice, says Victims’ Commissioner
FEWER than half of victims believe they can get justice, according to a major new survey published by the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove.
The 2025 Victims Survey, based on responses from more than 6,500 victims – the largest ever conducted by the Commissioner – exposes a serious lack of confidence in the system, with only 42% believing they can obtain justice, 46% confident in its effectiveness, and 51% in its fairness.
Victims denied a voice
Many victims report being denied a voice at critical stages of the process. Some were refused the right to read their Victim Personal Statement (VPS) in court, and only 14% knew they had the right to challenge a decision to drop their case.
One victim of domestic abuse, a woman aged 55–64, said: “I was never allowed to speak in court as a victim… never allowed any voice… never allowed to read my three different VPS during three cases, nine hearings in all and two sentence hearings.”
Victims frequently described feeling isolated, unheard, and treated as a statistic rather than a person.
Confidence gaps across groups
Confidence in the justice system varies widely across groups. Only a third of LGBTQ+ victims were confident they could receive justice by reporting a crime, while fewer than half of disabled victims and female victims believed the system was fair.
The report also reveals troubling patterns in reporting rates. Forty-one per cent of rape and sexual assault victims did not report the incident, and 36% of hate crime victims did not report. Nearly a third of Asian and Black victims (32%) chose not to report, compared to 21% of white victims. Among young people aged 16–24, the non-reporting rate was 38%, nearly double that of older victims.
One young victim of sexual assault said: “I feel like race and sex is always a factor when you report a crime or are seeking justice. You won’t always be treated fairly.”

Poor communication and delays
Victims cited poor communication and delays as major reasons for losing faith in the justice process. Some reported cases collapsing after statutory time limits expired, while others faced years of waiting for trials.
A victim of assault, aged 35–44, said: “The CPS unnecessary delays meant the perpetrator was unable to be charged because they let six months go past through no fault of my own.”
Another rape survivor described the toll of the long wait: “Too stressful, took too long. It ruined my life and I thought I’d lose my family if I carried on with the case.”
Police under pressure
While fewer than half of victims said their case was investigated thoroughly (43%) or that they were kept informed (40%), many recognised the resource challenges facing officers.
“It was obvious that the police were trying their best but were short staffed,” said one male assault victim, 55–64.
Overall, 68% of victims said they would still report a crime again, though this figure dropped sharply among rape and sexual assault survivors.
The report highlights the value of specialist police training, such as that delivered under Operation Soteria, in improving trust. “They appeared to be well trained… professional and compassionate, yet unbiased,” said a female victim, 45–54.
Need for clearer communication
More than two-thirds of victims praised the support they received from court staff and volunteers, but many still said they were left uninformed about the outcome of their case. One in five said the conviction or sentence was not properly explained to them – a finding that comes ahead of the UK Government’s forthcoming Sentencing Bill.
Baroness Newlove said: “These voices matter. They are telling us not only what is working, but crucially where the system is failing victims – the very people it is meant to protect. One of the most striking and worrying findings is the lack of confidence in the fairness and effectiveness of the criminal justice system. If victims lose faith, they may stop coming forward – and justice cannot be delivered if victims are silent. All victims deserve to be treated with decency and respect. That means good communication, tailored support, and a clear understanding of their rights. This report sends a very clear message that we have a great deal of work to do to rebuild victim confidence in the system.”
The full report, including over 150 victim testimonies, is available to download from the Victims’ Commissioner’s website.
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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