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Crime

Welsh minister ‘concerned’ by proposed jury trial restrictions

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WALES’ top lawyer has vowed to challenge Ministry of Justice proposals to limit appeal rights and scrap jury trials for crimes with a likely sentence of three years or less.

Julie James, who is counsel general, the Welsh Government’s chief legal adviser, committed to raising concerns with UK counterparts because justice is largely non-devolved.

Last week, the Ministry of Justice unveiled plans for judge-only “swift courts” in Wales and England to fast track cases to cut delays due to a backlog in the justice system.

Answering questions in the Senedd today (December 9), Ms James agreed with her Labour colleague Mick Antoniw who described the plans as the “wrong way to go”.

The former solicitor said she would raise the issue during a meeting of the inter-ministerial group (IMG) on justice, a UK-wide forum which she was due to chair later in the week.

Labour MS Mick Antoniw
Labour MS Mick Antoniw

Mr Antoniw told the Senedd: “I think this is the wrong way to go and will not solve the growing backlog problem. Jury trials have been a cornerstone of our justice system.

“Juries are a check and balance on judges, as well as a protection for the independence of the judiciary, and they give ownership to part of the judicial system into the hands of the people, so we restrict them at our peril.”

Mr Antoniw, a former trade union lawyer and counsel general, urged his successor to press for access to justice, investment in court infrastructure and the devolution of justice powers.

Ms James responded: “I personally am particularly concerned about the proposals to limit the rights of appeal from magistrates’ courts to points of law only at the same time as increasing magistrates’ sentencing powers.

“So, there are a number of things in the system that we will be raising at the IMG and more generally. Because although it is a reserved matter, of course it directly impacts on a number of things that are devolved.”

Independent MS Rhys ab Owen
Independent MS Rhys ab Owen

Rhys ab Owen, a former criminal barrister who sits as an independent, pointed to previous comments from David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister and UK justice secretary.

He said: “’Jury trials are a fundamental part of the democratic settlement, criminal trials without juries are a bad idea… those aren’t my words – that’s a tweet written by David Lammy back in 2020.”

He argued the figures are skewed due to “huge” backlogs in big English cities.

Mr ab Owen was similarly concerned by proposals to limit rights of appeal as he recalled some “baffling” decisions made by magistrates.

He told Senedd Members: “The truth is if this was a proposal by a Conservative government, there would be outrage in this place.”

Mr ab Owen also raised comments from Karl Turner, a Labour MP, who described the proposals as the “daftest idea” that any justice secretary could have come up with.

Pressed on whether she agreed, Ms James said: “I agree that there are serious questions to be asked about the UK Government’s proposals… I also agree the right to trial by jury is a hugely important protection for defendants, I absolutely do.

“Victims need to be assured that justice is delivered effectively but in an unbiased way, and that the punishment fits the crime.”

She stressed that trial delays also impact victims, defendants and witnesses, so “it’s absolutely right to look at ways of speeding up that process”.

Ms James told Senedd Members there are no significant delays in magistrates’ courts and crown court performance in Wales has consistently been considered among the best.

She explained trials in Wales are currently being listed into 2026 and 2027, compared with London where listings are currently well into 2030.

Criticising a “disappointing” lack of consultation before the announcement, the counsel general said: “These are proposals at the moment, there’s a long way until they become law [but] we will be making our feelings known on it.”

 

Crime

70-year-old denies assault and restraining order breach

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A PENSIONER from Pembroke Dock has denied breaching a restraining order and assaulting another man.

Henry Howlett, 70, of Market Street, appeared before Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, May 1), charged with breaching a restraining order and common assault.

The charges relate to an alleged incident on November 9 last year.

Howlett has previously appeared before magistrates in connection with a separate alleged incident involving a neighbour.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court previously heard that a dispute arose on July 17 after neighbour Steven Bromhall was washing his car outside his home in Market Street.

Prosecutor Nia James told the court that, as a taxi arrived to collect Howlett, the driver opened the window while passing and Mr Bromhall inadvertently sprayed the taxi driver with water from a hosepipe.

“The taxi driver started remonstrating, and the defendant then began waving his walking stick in the air, towards Mr Bromhall,” she said.

The court heard Mr Bromhall sustained an injury to his back, although it remained unclear whether he had been struck by Howlett’s stick.

Howlett pleaded not guilty to common assault in relation to that incident and was released on unconditional bail. A trial date was set at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

At Swansea Crown Court today, His Honour Judge P H Thomas KC asked Howlett whether he was legally represented.

“I can’t find anyone decent, I’m still searching, my lord,” Howlett replied.

When the court attempted to take his pleas, Howlett repeatedly interrupted in an effort to give an explanation, prompting the judge to tell him: “Be quiet, Mr Howlett.”

Howlett then pleaded not guilty to the charges, telling the court: “Definitely not guilty.”

As he left the courtroom, Howlett said: “I will get the truth out and I hope you all hang your heads in shame… this is all fixed.”

A trial date was set for January 14, 2027.

 

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Crime

Crymych parent denies failing to comply with school attendance order

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A CRYMYCH parent has denied failing to comply with a school attendance order, a court has heard.

The defendant appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged under the Education Act 1996.

The court heard that the defendant is accused of failing, as a parent, to ensure that a child attended school in accordance with the requirements of a School Attendance Order.

It is alleged that after being served with the order, the defendant did not comply within the required 15-day period.

A plea of not guilty was entered.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 14.

A reporting restriction remains in force.

 

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Crime

Cockle fisherman fined £3,450 for multiple breaches at protected site

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A GOODWICK man has been ordered to pay £3,450 after breaching fishing regulations at a protected cockle fishery.

Richard William Edwards, 45, of Goodwick, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged with a series of offences at the Burry Inlet cockle fishery.

The court heard that Edwards had fished for cockles without a valid permit and breached conditions imposed under fisheries management rules. He was also found to have used an unauthorised vehicle in the fishery area, contrary to restrictions in place to protect the site.

Magistrates were told the offences took place on September 9, 2025, within the Burry Inlet Cockle Fishery, a designated and regulated area subject to strict controls.

Edwards was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a victim services surcharge of £800, along with costs of £650, bringing the total to £3,450. A collection order was made.

The case was brought under fisheries legislation including the Cockle Fisheries Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024.

The court heard that Edwards had been in breach of a prohibition imposed by the permitting system and had failed to comply with the terms of his permit.

The offences are part of ongoing enforcement efforts to protect the sustainability of cockle stocks and ensure compliance within the fishery.

 

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