Crime

Narberth man ‘demonstrated an unhealthy interest in young girls’

Published

4 years ago

August 30, 2022

A PEMBROKESHIRE man in his 60s sent messages to what he believed to be four different young girls, but they turned out to be three different paedophile hunters and a police officer working undercover, Swansea Crown Court has heard.

Robert Daye asked the youngsters for photographs of them in their school uniforms, talked about performing sex acts on them, and told one of them he wanted to put her over his knee and spank her.

Helen Randall, prosecuting, told the court that in August last year Daye started communicating what appeared to be an online profile belonging to a 13-year-old girl.

Over the following fortnight, the defendant sent a series of messages during which he sent the girl a picture of his erect penis and asked if she wanted to play with it, said he wanted to have sex with her, and told her he wanted to put her over his knee and spank her.

The prosecutor said the profile Daye was communicating with was being operated by a police officer. As a result of the messages, the defendant was arrested on September 4 and answered “no comment” to all questions asked before being released on bail.

The court heard Daye resumed his online activities in the summer of this year when he sent messages to what he thought were three 13-year-old girls – these accounts were being run by members of groups set up to target sex offenders. During the conversations with these profiles, the defendant talked about the girls’ breasts, described the kinds of sex acts he wanted to perform on them, and again asked for photographs of the children in school uniforms.

On July 4 members of one of the paedophile hunter groups arranged to meet Daye – after confronting him at the rendezvous, they called the police. Read about a man who burnt girlfriend with cigarette, stamped on her face and broke her jaw here.

Robert Daye, aged 63, of Cold Blow, Narberth, had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of attempted sexual communication with a child when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has one previous conviction from 1986 for an unrelated offence.

Dan Griffiths, for Daye, said it was accepted there was a degree of persistence to the defendant’s offending which had continued after his arrest and release on bail, and that his client had “demonstrated an unhealthy interest in young girls”. He said it was clear from the pre-sentence report into Daye that the digger driver was a “somewhat isolated man” who had enjoyed “few emotionally intimate relationships, and whose life had been characterised by prolonged periods of loneliness”. The advocate invited the court to find there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation in his client’s case.

Judge Geraint Walters told Daye he had had the “gall” to continue offending even while under investigation by the police. He said though there seemed to be differences within the pre-sentence report as to the level of risk the defendant posed, he was prepared to follow its recommendations. With a discount for his guilty pleas, Daye was sentenced to 15 months in prison suspended for two years, and he was ordered to complete a rehabilitation course and Maps for Change sex offender’s programme. He will be a registered sex offender for the next years 10 years and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same length of time.

Crime

New pilot offers dedicated advocates for trafficking survivors

Published

5 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

National scheme aims to support hundreds of victims of modern slavery across the UK

MORE than 600 adult survivors of modern slavery are set to receive dedicated support through a new national pilot scheme providing accredited, independent advocates.

The initiative will see specially trained professionals working directly alongside survivors of human trafficking and exploitation, helping them navigate complex legal, social, and recovery processes.

While survivors of crimes such as domestic and sexual abuse already have access to specialist advocacy, no equivalent provision previously existed for victims of modern slavery—despite the often severe and long-term trauma they experience.

Over the next three years, 24 Independent Modern Slavery Advocates (IMSAs) will be deployed across the UK. Each advocate will complete a postgraduate qualification and receive support from a central hub hosted by anti-trafficking charity Hope for Justice.

Tim Nelson, CEO at Hope for Justice, said the pilot aims to tackle inequalities in support: “We want to end the postcode lottery that adult survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking are experiencing in the UK.

“There are many organisations already doing incredible work, but by working together and setting new standards, we can give survivors the best possible chance of rebuilding their lives.”

The scheme is backed by a £1 million National Lottery grant and involves several organisations, including Unseen UK, Medaille Trust, Bawso, SOHTIS, Hope for Justice, and the Snowdrop Project.

Since the pilot began six months ago, advocates have already supported 121 survivors, helping to secure housing, legal recognition, and access to vital services.

Key outcomes so far include:

Ten survivors provided with safe and secure housing
Seventeen Home Office decisions successfully challenged, granting victims access to support
Humanitarian protection secured for a young adult survivor

Advocates have also helped individuals access healthcare, mental health support, education, employment, and secure immigration status.

One survivor described the support as “life changing” after escaping a trafficker. In a letter to her advocate, she said: “You have fought our corner tirelessly when I did not have the strength. You stood beside us every step of the way.

“You helped me rebuild trust, believe in myself, and slowly find my voice again.”

The IMSA role aligns with international guidance on independent advocacy and has been shaped by experts and those with lived experience.

Louise Mensah, Head of Frontline at Unseen, said: “This pilot is a step towards a world without slavery. We are proud to be part of something that will improve outcomes and change futures.”

Ben Ryan, Deputy CEO at Medaille Trust, added: “We know the value of long-term support in recovery. This partnership allows us to embed best practice and develop new approaches.”

Organisations wishing to join the final phase of the pilot have until May 2026 to apply.

Further information is available at www.hopeforjustice.org/imsa/

Crime

Four deny murder of Caerphilly teenager

Published

8 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people have pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 17-year-old boy.

Ricardo Elliot, aged 27, Connor Palfrey, aged 24, Elexi Manny, aged 24, and Georgie Mears, aged 18, appeared before Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday (March 20), where each denied killing Tristan Shae Kerr.

Emergency services were called to a property in Abertridwr, Caerphilly, at around 5:45pm on Wednesday (Feb 5) following reports that a teenage boy had suffered serious injuries. Despite efforts, Tristan was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard that the teenager is alleged to have been attacked with a so-called “zombie knife” measuring approximately nine to ten inches in length.

During the hearing, the four defendants spoke only to confirm their personal details and enter their pleas.

A trial is due to begin on August 3 and is expected to last around six weeks. A further pre-trial review has been scheduled for July 24.

All four defendants were remanded in custody.

Paying tribute after his death, Tristan’s family described him as a “deeply loved son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.”

They said he was quick-witted, with a love for motorbikes and adventure, adding that he had a natural energy that lit up every room and drew people towards him.

Crime

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

Published

1 day 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.