News

Father kept daughter locked away as sex prisoner [UPDATED]

Published

8 years ago

April 27, 2018

A 57-YEAR-OLD man from west Wales who raped his own daughters has been jailed for life today (Apr 27).

One of the girls was kept a prisoner in his home–and during her eight years never went to school, played outside, saw a cat or a dog or had a friend.

Judge Geraint Walters said at Swansea Crown Court she had been so deprived during her childhood she may never recover.

Her father, who lives west of Carmarthen, was jailed for life and told he would serve a minimum of 12 years behind bars before being allowed to apply for parole. But he will not be released until the parole board is satisfied he is no longer a danger to children. That, said Judge Walters, may never happen.

Robin Rouch, prosecuting, said the man raped his first daughter over a two year period and then separated from her mother.

He then spent time in Thailand but no-one knew what he had been doing there. On his return to west Wales he remarried and had a second daughter, who he also abused–this time with the help of his new wife.

She has been found guilty of child sex offences and will be sentenced at a later date.

The man’s offending was described by Judge Walters as “plunging to new depths of depravity”.

He managed to “home school” the younger girl but effectively kept her as a sex slave, said the judge: “not exactly locking her in a cellar- but not far from it.”

There were padlocks on all the doors and the curtains were always kept closed.

The girl was never allowed out and, consequently, had never played with friends, or gone swimming. She had never seen Christmas lights and had no concept of what a celebration was.

The effect on her was so profound, said Judge Walters, that she could not be left alone with other children for fear she would sexually abuse them.

“Sex is her only concept of love,” he added. “This was a campaign of rape and this wicked abuse will hit her harder as she grows older.”

He added: “You have ruined her life.”

The man admitted 25 offences of child sex abuse, including several rapes, and making indecent images of children.

He cannot be named to protect the identities of his daughters.

Dyfed-Powys Police said that they welcome the result following what has been a particularly difficult and sensitive investigation into the sexual abuse over a prolonged period for the young victims, who were naturally traumatised by the abuse they suffered.

Detective Inspector Phil Rowe said: “I am pleased with the sentence handed down today and that the offender is no longer able to cause harm to the young victims or anyone else. This was a protracted and challenging investigation with the main priority being the protection of the vulnerable victims.

“The crimes committed were abhorrent and I must commend the police officers and staff who worked tirelessly to bring them to justice.

“We would obviously wish for such offences never to occur in our communities and we work closely with colleagues in partner agencies to safeguard vulnerable people, but very sadly abuse still does happen.

“I hope there can be some reassurance felt within our communities that when such crimes are committed, we have dedicated, specially trained officers here prepared to work hard to ensure outcomes like today’s sentencing.

“I hope anyone else who has experienced similar abuse at any stage of their life can find courage from this case to see that all reports will be taken seriously by Dyfed-Powys Police and fully investigated.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

15 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

16 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

17 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.