News

Thirteen year old girl exploited in Johnston toilets

Published

11 years ago

July 21, 2014

A SHARP eyed car passenger helped to bring to justice a 41 year old man sexually exploiting a girl of 13, a judge heard on Friday (July 18).

Charles Rutherford had parked his van at a layby at Pope Hill, Johnston, and followed the girl into the ladies’ toilets.

But he had been seen by Benjamin Hawthorn, who had been a passenger in a car parked at the same layby, and he went into the gents’ to find it empty of people.

Assuming that the man was still in the ladies’ Mr Hawthorn telephoned the police and two female officers entered the toilets.

Patrick Griffiths, prosecuting, said one went into the ladies’ and found one cubicle locked. She banged on the door and shouted “police” and after a short while Rutherford opened the door as he and the girl continued to adjust their lower clothing.

The girl was taken into police protection and driven home. Eventually, she confessed that she and Rutherford had been having a relationship.

Rutherford was arrested and he and the girl’s mobiles were examined. Police found more than 1,500 text messages from him to her and 950 in the other direction.

The messages, said Mr Griffiths, made it clear what had been happening.

Rutherford, from Llanelli, admitted two offences of engaging in sexual activity with a child, one involving sexual intercourse.

Ian Wright, the barrister representing Rutherford, said he lived an isolated life and had thought that he was in a loving relationship, despite the obvious difference between their ages.

Judge Christopher Vosper had, he said, a “stark” choice between jailing Rutherford or making him the subject of a community order that would include treatment and education.

Judge Vosper said the offending was too serious and jailed Rutherford for two years and eight months.

It was clear, he added, that some sexual touching had been going on in the toilets at Pope Hill.

Rutherford was ordered to register with the police as a sex offender and, in due course, will be banned from working with children or vulnerable people.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

3 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

3 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

3 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.