News

Police officer thought about suicide on ‘daily basis’ after false rape allegation

Published

8 years ago

October 16, 2017

A WOMAN who made a false allegation of rape against a serving Dyfed-Powys Police officer has been jailed for 27 months.

PC Paul Morgan thought about committing suicide ‘on a daily basis’ after he was arrested and suspended following a false complaint by Samantha Murray-Evans.

PC Morgan was under suspicion for five weeks before fellow officers were able to prove that she had been lying.

Murray-Evans, aged 44, of Birchgrove, Swansea, admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Catherine Richards, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court the pair had met online in October, 2014.

In her complaint to police she said she had agreed to go to his house because he was a police officer and she felt safe.

She said that as soon as she arrived PC Morgan began to kiss her and pushed her onto a sofa despite her making it clear she did not want to have sex.

Then, she claimed, he raped her.

The following day, she said, she realised she had lost a ring at his home and went back. But he said he couldn’t find it and she left.

PC Morgan was arrested, kept in a police cell over night and suspended from duty.

Miss Richards said officers investigating the complaint discovered that in the days following Murray-Evans had sent PC Morgan a series of Whats App messages, one describing the sex as the best she had ever had and telling him that it had made her toes curl.

In another she attached a photograph of one of breasts naked.

Miss Richards said that PC Morgan told police that sex had been consensual and that she had initiated it, and that she had asked for more sex after visiting him to retrieve the lost ring.

PC Morgan, who has a bravery award for pulling a suicidal woman out of the River Tawe, was told, five weeks after being arrested, that the complaint would not be pursued.

But he suffered long term harm and was allowed to read a statement to the court.

PC Morgan said the false allegation had devastated his life and that he had considered suicide daily. In fact, the thought that ‘suicide was a way out was all that kept me going’.

He said he had had to put up with walking through Llanelli and hearing people accusing him of being a rapist.

He now suffered from depression and anxiety and was off work sick.

Jim Davis, representing Murray-Evans, said she still maintained that she had been raped but wanted to admit the charge.

The court heard that Murray-Evans had a conviction for molesting a former partner by making contact despite a court order not to.

Judge Paul Thomas told Murray-Evans it was difficult to think of a more wicked lie to tell, especially about a police officer.

Judge Thomas said he was convinced that Murray-Evans had wanted a relationship and had devised a ‘vicious and sinister’ way of getting her own back after PC Morgan rejected her.

The lie, he added, had been planned and calculated and she had been callous and persistent during an 80 minute police interview.

“The worrying fact is that if you had not sent those WhatsApp messages to him it would have been your word against his with an unpredictable outcome.

“You knew it would have a devastating effect on him and I believe that the fact that he was a police officer was in your thoughts.

“He suffered five weeks of torment and even contemplated suicide. The consequences remain with him three years later.”

Judge Thomas said the damage went further–false complaints helped to undermine the credibility of genuine rape victims.

And he noted that Murray-Evans had not shown a trace of remorse.

Local Government

Pembroke’s Henry Tudor Centre awarded £249,813 National Lottery grant

Published

2 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE County Council, in partnership with the Henry Tudor Trust, has secured a £249,813 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the creation of the new Henry Tudor Centre at South Quay, Pembroke.

The Centre will bring to life the largely untold story of Henry Tudor – the son of Pembroke who carried the Welsh language to the English court and ultimately claimed the greatest prize of all: the crowns of Wales and England. His victory in 1485 established the Tudor dynasty, one of the most influential in British history.

The new attraction will explore Henry’s Welsh heritage, his formative years in Pembroke, and his lasting impact on the national story, Welsh identity and wider British culture.

Funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will help develop the Centre ahead of its opening in Spring 2027. The grant will also support a one-year Community Programme Coordinator role to deliver an events programme, establish a volunteering scheme, and create educational resources for local schools.

The Henry Tudor Centre forms part of the wider regeneration of South Quay, which also includes a new library, community café, and an integrated healthcare, social services and supported employment hub in the adjoining buildings.

Cllr Paul Miller, Deputy Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, said:
“Thanks to National Lottery players, these prominent listed buildings beside the magnificent Pembroke Castle have been rescued from dereliction and given a new purpose. The new centre will celebrate Henry Tudor’s deep connection to Pembroke and will be a major draw for visitors. It is a key element of our wider regeneration of Pembroke town centre.”

Andrew White, Director for Wales at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:
“We’re proud to support Pembrokeshire County Council and the Henry Tudor Trust in bringing the story of Henry Tudor to life. Thanks to National Lottery players, this project will not only shine a light on Wales’ rich heritage and cultural identity, but also create a vibrant hub for learning, volunteering and community engagement in the heart of Pembroke.”

Crime

Man accused of Milford Haven burglary and GBH remanded to Crown Court

Published

18 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared in court charged with burglary and inflicting grievous bodily harm, following an incident at a flat in the town earlier this week.

Charged after alleged attack inside Victoria Road flat

Stephen Collier, aged thirty-eight, of Vaynor Road, Milford Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court today (Friday, Dec 5). Collier is accused of entering a property known as Nos Da Flat, 2 Victoria Road, on December 3 and, while inside, inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man named John Hilton.

The court was told the alleged burglary and assault was carried out jointly with another man, Denis Chmelevski.

The charge is brought under section 9(1)(b) of the Theft Act 1968, which covers burglary where violence is inflicted on a person inside the property.

No plea entered

Collier, represented by defence solicitor Chris White, did not enter a plea during the hearing. Prosecutor Simone Walsh applied for the defendant to be remanded in custody, citing the serious nature of the offence, the risk of further offending, and concerns that he could interfere with witnesses.

Magistrates Mr I Howells, Mr V Brickley and Mrs H Meade agreed, refusing bail and ordering that Collier be kept in custody before trial.

Case sent to Swansea Crown Court

The case was sent to Swansea Crown Court under Section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Collier will next appear on January 5, 2026 at 9:00am for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing.

A custody time limit has been set for June 5, 2026.

Chmelevski is expected to face proceedings separately.

News

Woman dies after collision in Tumble as police renew appeal for witnesses

Published

19 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for information after a woman died following a collision in Tumble on Tuesday (Dec 2).

Officers were called to Heol y Neuadd at around 5:35pm after a collision involving a maroon Skoda and a pedestrian. The female pedestrian was taken to hospital but sadly died from her injuries.

Dyfed-Powys Police has launched a renewed appeal for witnesses, including anyone who may have dash-cam, CCTV footage, or any information that could help the investigation.

Investigators are urging anyone who was in the area at the time or who may have captured the vehicle or the pedestrian on camera shortly before the collision to get in touch. (Phone: 101 Quote reference: DP-20251202-259.)