News

Pembroke Dock sex predator ‘Dick Crow’ handed 15 year jail sentence

Published

3 years ago

November 7, 2022

A PEMBROKE DOCK man who was found unanimously guilty on eight sexual offences involving a child as young as eight has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

David Daniel Roberts, known locally as Dick Crow faced the jury at Swansea Crown Court, after denying all charges at previous court appearances.

The jury heard how 59-year-old Roberts of Park Street, Pembroke Dock, subjected the victim to an array of sexual offences between 2005 and 2012 when she was between the ages of 8 and 14.

Across the two day trial, the victim gave evidence via a video link.

The court heard how the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was touched sexually, was made to participate in sexual activity and was shown pornographic images.

The victim told the court how on one occassion, Roberts knelt down in front of her and performed oral sex and she “felt his stubble against her legs” and the incident left her feeling “disgusted”.

She said: “It was just dirty. But I was too young to understand.”

On another occasion, despite others being in the room, Roberts placed his hands inside her leggings whilst he was sitting next to her at the table.

The victim told the court how whilst reaching puberty, the defendant would grope her breasts and bottom and hold her waist and he would watch her whilst she was in the shower.

Speaking on the pornographic images, the victim told the court how Roberts showed her pornographic images of obese women and would make reference as to how thats what he wanted her to look like when she was older.

The court heard how Roberts would play dares with the victim, daring her to pull down her trousers, where the defendant would then take pictures, before daring himself to run around naked.

Although the offences dated back to almost a decade ago, the charges were only brought after the victim confided in a close relative in 2020, where the police were subsequently contacted.

Peter Rouch, for the Crown Prosecution Service, told the jury how often, in cases such as this, it can take a long time for the victim to report the crimes.

He said: “Victims sometimes report things immediately while others wait months, years or even decades.

“And this could be for a variety of reasons.

“It could possibly be a feeling of guilt that they let it happen, or a desire to put it out of their minds, hoping that it was untrue. And also it could be because of the fear of not being believed.

“But maybe they were so young, they just didn’t realise the nature of what had happened.”

Whilst giving evidence, Roberts told the court how the allegations “came out of the blue”.

Defence barrister Nicola Powell, claimed there were inconsistencies within the victims evidence, before stating that “People do tell lies”.

She added: “People do make up allegations for whatever reason.

“But once a lie has been told, it’s very difficult to go back.”

She told the jury that sometimes the more a lie is told, the more the victim convinces themselves that the lie is the truth.

However, Judge Thomas, explained to the jury that whilst some of the victims statements may seem out of order, they must consider the fact that the allegations relate to a period when the victim was very young.

Before adding: “A lot has gone on since then and it’s difficult for her to put into order.”

During his arrest, Roberts was found to be in possession of an extreme image of animal pornography.

During the defendants first court appearance at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Roberts faced 10 sexual offence charges and one further charge of possessing an extreme image of animal pornography.

Roberts pleaded guilty to possessing the image and the defence argued that the matter should be dealt with separately to the sexual offence charges.

However, Sian Vaughan, for the Crown Prosecution Service, asked the magistrates to send all charges to crown court as the victim makes reference to being shown animal pornography by Roberts in her victim statements.

On Thursday, October 13, a jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict for 59-year-old Roberts on eight sexual offence charges.

These included five charges of digital penetration of the child, two charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

The jury returned a not guilty verdict to two additional counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

Following the verdict, Judge Thomas, expressed his regret to the jury for having to endure the details of the case and the stress that this may have caused them.

He said: “No one, least of all me, can underestimate the degree of pressure and stress that this has put upon you.”

Before adding that these cases are becoming, tragically, more common at Crown Court.

Roberts was sentenced to 14 years in prison, one year on licence.

The Judge also made Roberts the subject of Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Along with the sentence, Roberts will be placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

35 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

Published

40 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.

Local Government

Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure

SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.

“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.

Urgent works underway

Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.

Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.

Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.

Further updates are expected later this week.