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Lily Sullivan’s murder motivated by sexual ‘frustration’, says judge

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Continuation from previous report

AT SWANSEA CROWN COURT this afternoon, Judge Paul Thomas QC has found that the murder of teenager Lily Sullivan was motivated by sexual “frustration” from Haines, who wanted to “go further” than Lily did after a night out in Pembroke.

The judge rejected the claim that Lewis Haines attempted to save Lily from the water after she entered the Millpond.

Haines was seen crouched in his seat with his head buried in his hands, while Lily’s family looked on from the public gallery, nodding with agreement at the Judge’s remarks.

The judge said: “I have no doubt that some degree of intimacy was intended between them and indeed occurred.

“Lily of course, tragically, cannot give evidence about what happened in the lane during that period.

Lewis Haines has chosen not to give evidence at the hearing.

“I am sure a degree of intimacy occurred in the lane. I am equally sure it did not progress to sexual intercourse or anything near it. I am sure that did not happen because Lily did not want that to happen.”
“There was no indication of distress but a clear indication she was now coming to meet her mother. That phone call ended abruptly mid-conversation, which Mrs Sullivan says was very atypical of Lily.
“There is some grainy footage from the lane. At one point Lily’s phone is seen to be moving rapidly around, when it seems to me that phone calls were incoming. At around the same time, a barber who lived above the alley heard a man and woman quarrelling, and a woman insisting she did not want to move from where she was.”

The judge added: “it was significant that Lily’s phone and jacket were left in the alleyway. I find she did not leave those voluntarily at that spot,” he said. “I find further that she did not leave the alley of her own volition but was forcibly taken to the Mill Pond by Lewis Haines.
“Her body, when recovered, was naked from the waist up. Her skimpy top was found slightly damp on vegetation near the Mill Pond. I come to the conclusion she was not wearing that top when she went into the river.
“Had she been it would have been completely saturated. I find it was removed from Lily against her will by Lewis Haines.
“Lewis Haines struck Lily on several occasions, as her injury and the presence of blood show. That was done with significant force. He then strangled her, probably to death, before putting her into the Mill Pond where she would not be seen at night.
“I wholly reject the account put forward by Lewis Haines that he went into the water to try to save Lily. If he went into the water at all – and he probably did – he wanted to make sure she had died. His intention was to silence her.
“He had a phone at all times. He passed many houses on the walk home. But he made no attempt to help her or get assistance from others.
“He didn’t want her to be in a position to tell anyone what had happened in the lane. Killing her was the only way he could be confident she would not survive to tell her family what had happened. It was only after he knew she had not survived that he let others know where she was.
“Why did he want to ensure that Lily could not be saved? He put in his statement that she had threatened to falsely accuse him of rape. I am sure, however, that having been in that lane for some time and having had intimate contact up to a point, Lily decided she was going to meet her mother… She did not want the intimacy to go as far as sexual intercourse.
“Fuelled as he was by drink, I am satisfied that Lewis Haines was frustrated by this… He became forceful towards her, and she resisted. I am sure from the evidence that Lily did not remove her top voluntarily to be naked in the middle of the night in December. I am sure Mr Haines took it off her.
“His account of her threatening to tell people what he had done with her does in fact have an element based in truth. I find she did say she would complain, not that he had actually raped her, because he had not, but because he had tried to force himself upon her against her will.”
Haines is due to be sentenced on Friday. He could face a life sentence with a minimum term of 30 years.

The judge thanked Lily’s family, many of whom were sitting in the public gallery. He praised their dignity amid an ‘excruciating’ case.

Crime

Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case

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A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).

On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.

When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.

Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.

Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).

While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.

After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.

The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.

“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory. 

“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.

“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.

“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”

On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life. 

If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

In an emergency, always call 999.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

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News

Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police

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DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”

In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed. 
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly. 
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”

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Business

Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’

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THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.

“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”

Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”

“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”

Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.

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