Crime

Burglary spree across Pembrokeshire and south Wales ends in jail sentences

Published

5 months ago

January 27, 2026

Offenders struck holiday lets, family homes and elderly residents

TWO men have been jailed after a wave of burglaries across Pembrokeshire and south Wales last autumn, with homes targeted in coastal villages and residential streets.

Darren Inder, aged 46, and Christopher Welke, aged 43, appeared before Swansea Crown Court for sentencing following offences committed between September and October.

The court heard that Inder carried out a series of break-ins in Pembrokeshire, including burglaries in Nolton Haven on the night of October 18. During one incident, a holiday cottage was entered while guests were staying there, with torches and £200 stolen. The same night, a nearby farmhouse was broken into, where cash, coffee and milk were taken.

Inder later burgled another Nolton Haven property, stealing food items, a knife and a backpack, before striking again in Broad Haven on October 24, where cash was taken from a home.

Both defendants were also involved in burglaries in Dynevor Avenue, Neath, during the early hours of October 4. One homeowner was woken by police shortly after 3:00am after officers noticed signs of a break-in. Doorbell camera footage showed the two men leaving the property.

In a separate incident nearby, a neighbour discovered their Fiat Panda had been stolen from the driveway. Footage captured Welke attempting to avoid a doorbell camera before entering the vehicle. Items taken during the burglary included a purse, a bank card and two collectable pound coins. Footprint evidence from the address and the recovered vehicle linked Welke to the offence.

The court was told that Inder’s offending also included a burglary at a garage in Church Crescent, Baglan, where lip filler products worth around £8,000 were stolen, as well as cigarettes and a lighter taken from an address in Cae Canol. He also burgled two elderly residents at Traherne Court, Neath, on October 4.

Prosecutor Alycia Carpanini outlined the pattern of offending, describing it as persistent and escalating.

Inder, of Chamberlain Road, Neath, admitted 11 burglary offences. He has 26 previous convictions for 92 offences, the majority relating to theft and dishonesty. His barrister, James McKenna, said Inder had made full admissions in interview but had relapsed into Class A drug use, which had fuelled his behaviour.

Welke, of Southall Avenue, Skewen, pleaded guilty to two burglaries and the theft of a motor vehicle. He has 91 previous convictions for 229 offences, including 148 for dishonesty. His defence said longstanding substance misuse problems had led to a rapid decline, including periods of homelessness.

Inder was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison. Welke received a sentence of two years and three months.

Cover image:

Darren Inder and Christopher Welke (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police).

Crime

Worcestershire man jailed after violent attack on woman in Tenby

Published

13 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant was already serving a suspended sentence when serious assault took place

A WORCESTERSHIRE man has been jailed for more than two years after carrying out a serious assault on a woman in Tenby.

Lewis Thompson-Gill, 35, of Worcester Road, Little Witley, was convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm following an incident in the seaside town on December 28 last year.

A jury found Thompson-Gill guilty after a trial, having rejected his not guilty plea to the charge that he unlawfully and maliciously caused the victim serious injury.

Swansea Crown Court heard that the offence was committed while Thompson-Gill was already subject to a suspended prison sentence imposed by Worcester Magistrates’ Court on May 6, 2025.

That earlier sentence related to two breaches of a non-molestation order.

Sentencing Thompson-Gill, Recorder Paul Lewis KC imposed a total prison term of two years and four months.

The sentence comprises 20 months’ imprisonment for the grievous bodily harm offence, together with the activation of an eight-month suspended sentence in full.

The court also ordered Thompson-Gill to pay a victim surcharge of £187, which must be paid within three months of his release from custody.

The assault took place in Tenby during the Christmas period and resulted in injuries serious enough to justify the grievous bodily harm charge.

Thompson-Gill will now serve his sentence in custody.

Caption:

Lewis Thompson-Gill was jailed for a total of two years and four months at Swansea Crown Court (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police)

Crime

Retired vicar jailed after child images found on laptop

Published

18 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

Former Powys clergyman claimed he had “nothing else to do” when police discovered prohibited material during unannounced visit

A RETIRED vicar has been jailed after police discovered prohibited images of children on his laptop during an unannounced visit to his home.

Andrew Robinson, 77, of Talybont-on-Usk near Brecon, was already subject to strict monitoring after admitting child image offences in 2025.

The former clergyman had previously received a suspended prison sentence, was placed on the Sex Offenders Register and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order following his conviction for possessing indecent images of children.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police’s offender management unit carried out a surprise compliance visit to Robinson’s home on June 9, 2026, as part of routine checks on registered sex offenders.

During the visit, officers found an open laptop displaying animated sexual images involving children.

When challenged by officers, Robinson claimed he did not believe the material was illegal. Following his arrest, he reportedly told officers he had been viewing the images because he had “nothing else to do”.

Robinson was charged with possessing a prohibited image of a child and with breaching the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Appearing before the courts the following day, he admitted both offences.

The breach activated the suspended prison sentence previously imposed on him. Robinson was jailed for a total of 12 months and 12 weeks and ordered to pay £187.

Detective Sergeant Paula Rutherford said the case demonstrated the importance of monitoring convicted sex offenders in the community.

She said: “The law is clear. Possessing this type of material is illegal, deeply concerning and contributes to the wider harm caused by child sexual exploitation.

“Some people wrongly believe there are no victims when animated images are involved, but viewing such material helps sustain demand for abusive content and can form part of a pathway towards more serious offending.

“The safeguarding of children and the protection of the public remain at the heart of our work. This sentence reflects the seriousness of Robinson’s actions and the effectiveness of proactive offender management.”

Robinson remains subject to notification requirements under sex offender legislation following his release from custody.

Crime

Drug trafficker must repay £33,000 after court rules he made nearly £500,000

Published

1 day ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE drug trafficker jailed after a major cocaine and cannabis seizure has been ordered to repay more than £33,000.

Dean Evans, 44, returned to Swansea Crown Court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing after prosecutors sought to recover money made through his offending.

The court heard it had been agreed that Evans benefited from criminal conduct by £496,533.94. However, his available assets were calculated at £33,337.37.

Judge Catherine Richards made a confiscation order for that amount and gave Evans three months to pay. If he fails to do so, he faces a further year in prison.

Evans, of St Clements Park, Freystrop, is already serving an eight-year sentence after admitting possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

He was caught after Dyfed-Powys Police’s Roads Policing Unit stopped his Seat Ateca on Holyland Road, Pembroke, at around 10:25am on January 2.

Officers searched the vehicle after Evans admitted they would find “stuff” inside.

They discovered around one kilogram of cocaine in a cardboard box in the boot, together with 5.4 kilograms of cannabis in a black bin bag. The cannabis had been split into ten vacuum-sealed bags.

Swansea Crown Court was previously told the drugs had a combined potential street value of up to £185,000, made up of around £125,000 of cocaine and cannabis worth up to £60,000.

A mobile phone seized from Evans revealed what prosecutors described as a “dealer’s list”, with dozens of names and sums believed to be owed. Messages also showed Evans directing dealers below him in the supply chain.

At the original sentencing hearing, the court was told Evans had 23 previous convictions for 62 offences, including rape and robbery. His previous drug matters had related only to possession.

Sarah John, mitigating, said he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had stayed out of trouble for a “fairly lengthy period”, with his last conviction in 2016.

Jailing Evans for eight years, Judge Paul Thomas KC said: “You are clearly a man with few criminal boundaries.

“You ensnared users and low-level drug dealers into debt, dragging them into a vicious circle of criminality.”

After sentencing, DC Phill Jones, of Pembrokeshire’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said illegal drugs brought misery to local communities and would not be tolerated.

He said: “This sentence should serve as a stark warning to any others who are tempted into the illegal drugs trade. You will get caught and you will go to prison.”

Photo caption: Drugs seized:

Dean Evans was caught with cocaine and cannabis worth up to £185,000 in his car (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police).