News

Accused primary school teacher made complaint against investigating officer

Published

5 years ago

April 27, 2021

A PRIMARY SCHOOL teacher accused of sexually touching 11 former pupils made an official complaint against one of the police officers investigating the case, a court has heard.

But the 34 year old also told the court that he was the “fun teacher” and would “tease” and be “jokey” with the children in his care.

At Swansea Crown Court, James Oulton, again denied 30 charges relating to his time as a teacher at a primary school in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire between 2012 and 2018.

He explained that the case against him was a witch-hunt, and said he had no idea why the eleven children had made the claims against him.

Mr Oulton claimed evidence offered by the complainants that a learning support assistant (LSA) was not always present in the classroom was wrong – he was never alone with children in the classroom, he told the jury.

He said he never knew in advance when these members of staff would enter.

Oulton said that he had requested an extra assistant, and that the request had been granted.

“We were lucky, the school was well-funded and we afforded one LSA per class.

“Every class had at least one LSA, if not two, depending on the age of the children.”

Giving evidence in his defence, Mr Oulton told the court that another support worker regularly helped children with additional needs in the classroom, while another would help others with their reading.

In relation to the evidence given last week, when one complainant claimed Mr Oulton would grab her and place her on his lap on a ‘swivel’ chair, he told the court that it could not be true, as no classroom in the school had such a chair and that his had four legs which did not move.
Swansea Crown Court heard Mr Oulton had told the investigation that he would sometimes put his hands on his pupils shoulders or waists to get past them in the small classroom.

“Why would you bend to touch the waist?” he was asked.

“I can’t give you a reason,” responded Mr Oulton. “It would be whichever was most appropriate at the time.”

Asked if he thought there was any need to touch them at all he replied: “If you ever worked in the classroom, or if any member of the jury worked in a classroom, they’d know you are in close contact with children.”

He was then asked whether he passed close enough to his pupils that they would “feel your bulge and private area” so often that it became normal, Mr Oulton said “no.”

The trial continues.

Crime

Milford Haven man given extra unpaid work after breaching court order

Published

40 seconds ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Magistrates add hours after missed appointments

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been ordered to complete extra unpaid work after breaching the terms of a community order.

Peter Jones, aged 33, of Precelly Place, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

He admitted failing to attend scheduled unpaid work and a probation appointment earlier this month.

Magistrates varied the order, imposing an additional 10 hours of unpaid work. Jones was also ordered to pay £60 in court costs.

The court heard the original community order followed an earlier conviction.

Business

St Clears discount store in closing down sale after chain enters administration

Published

6 minutes ago

February 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WELL-KNOWN discount retailer in St Clears is advertising a closing down sale after its parent company fell into administration, raising fresh concerns about the future of another high street store in west Wales.

The Original Factory Shop, which trades from Pentre Road in St Clears, has launched an “up to 30% off” sale as administrators attempt to secure the future of the business.

The chain, which sells clothing, homeware, garden products, toys and everyday essentials, appointed joint administrators Rick Harrison and James Clark of Interpath Advisory last week.

Founded in 1969, the retailer operates 137 stores across the UK and employs around 1,180 staff.

In a statement, Interpath said the company had faced difficult trading conditions common across the high street, including rising costs, weaker consumer spending and increased employment expenses. It added that problems with a third-party warehouse and logistics provider had also disrupted sales.

Despite the administration, the joint administrators say all stores will continue trading for now while options for the business are explored. The company’s online store is set to close.

Rick Harrison, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said the retailer had long been a fixture in town centres across the country but had struggled in the current climate.

Over the coming weeks, administrators will review whether parts of the business can be sold or restructured.

However, signage and social media posts from the St Clears branch suggest uncertainty locally, with the store promoting a closing down sale and urging shoppers to “grab a bargain while stocks last”.

The St Clears outlet is one of the last remaining branches in west Wales. Stores in Fishguard, Haverfordwest and Milford Haven closed last year. The Cardigan branch is also understood to be running a similar clearance sale.

The loss of another discount retailer would mark a further blow for smaller town centres already facing reduced footfall and rising costs.

Crime

Dorset man stopped at Fishguard ferry given domestic violence order

Published

13 minutes ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Magistrates told of 13 prior incidents as protection order imposed

A DORSET man was stopped by police at Fishguard Harbour while attempting to travel to Ireland and has now been made subject to a Domestic Violence Protection Order.

Nathaniel Cruickshank, aged 22, of Gillingham, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

The court heard he had travelled to Pembrokeshire on January 30 and was intercepted at the ferry port while planning to board a sailing to Ireland with his partner, prompting police intervention.

Magistrates were told Cruickshank has a lengthy history of domestic violence and abusive behaviour, with officers having attended 13 separate incidents involving him.

Prosecutors outlined a number of previous allegations, including an incident in which he punched his mother in the face and another where he smashed a family television with a guitar after being refused money.

The court also heard that on January 29 a protected person attended their GP surgery expressing fear of him, triggering safeguarding measures.

Police subsequently served a Domestic Violence Protection Notice, and Cruickshank was later arrested at Fishguard.

Magistrates granted a 28-day Domestic Violence Protection Order preventing him from threatening or using violence, making any direct or indirect contact with the protected person, or returning to her address.

Issuing a warning in court, magistrates told him any breach would have serious consequences.