News

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

Published

4 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.

Entertainment

Pembrokeshire soprano to perform at International Eisteddfod

Published

4 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST music teacher and soprano soloist Clare Harrison is set to perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen next month.

Clare will sing under the baton of Sir Karl Jenkins on Tuesday, July 7, as part of the World Choir, an auditioned international chorus of singers, for the long-awaited Welsh premiere of his work One World.

She will also perform in a new commission, Greeting the Dawn, by Sam Buttler, and in Peace Child with Wrexham-based chorus NEW Voices.

Clare combines a busy teaching schedule with regular solo performances across Wales and the borders.

Her next Pembrokeshire appearance will be as soloist with Tenby Male Choir at St Mary’s Church, Tenby, on Thursday, July 16.

Caption:

Clare Harrison: The Haverfordwest soprano will perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen.

News

Rhun ap Iorwerth urges new deal for Wales after Starmer quits

Published

11 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

First Minister says next Prime Minister must focus on greater powers, fair funding and respect for Wales’ democratic mandate

FIRST MINISTER Rhun ap Iorwerth has said the next UK Prime Minister must commit to a “new relationship with Wales” as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to leave office.

The Plaid Cymru leader said he wished Sir Keir well, but warned that political instability in Westminster was affecting the Welsh Government’s ability to engage with Number 10 on issues that matter to people in Wales.

***First Minister: Rhun ap Iorwerth says Wales needs greater powers, fair funding and respect from Westminster***

His comments came after Starmer announced on Monday (Jun 22) that he would resign as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party.

Starmer will remain in Downing Street until Labour selects a successor.

Mr ap Iorwerth said: “I am disappointed that the Welsh Government’s ability to engage with the UK Prime Minister on issues which matter to the people of Wales is being hampered by the turmoil in Westminster.

“I wish Sir Keir Starmer well as he prepares to leave office. I would like to see his successor recognising that Wales needs a new relationship with Westminster, with a focus on greater powers, fair funding, and respect for the democratic mandate delivered by the people of Wales.

“My government and I will always seek a constructive relationship with whoever is in Number 10, but we have clear expectations that the respect agenda must work both ways.”

In a shorter statement posted online, the First Minister added: “The next PM must commit to a new relationship with Wales — with a focus on greater powers, fair funding and respect for our mandate.”

Labour’s National Executive Committee is expected to open nominations for the party leadership on July 9, with the process due to be completed before Parliament returns from its summer break in September if a contest is required.

Andy Burnham is widely expected to enter the race after returning to Parliament following his victory in the Makerfield by-election.

The change of leadership comes at a sensitive time for Wales, with questions over fair funding, the future of devolution, public services and the relationship between Cardiff Bay and Westminster likely to feature prominently in the weeks ahead.

News

Welsh Conservatives say Starmer resignation will not fix Labour’s failures

Published

32 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Darren Millar says Wales needs “tough decisions” as Labour prepares to choose a new Prime Minister

THE LEADER of the Welsh Conservatives has said Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation will not change the impact of Labour’s failures on Wales.

Darren Millar MS said replacing one Labour leader with another would not solve the problems facing families and businesses across the country.

His comments came after Starmer announced on Monday (Jun 22) that he would resign as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party.

Starmer will remain in office until Labour selects a successor, with Andy Burnham widely expected to enter the race.

***Darren Millar MS: Said replacing one Labour leader with another would not solve the problems facing the country***

The Welsh Conservatives said Wales was still facing the consequences of Labour decisions on the cost of living, energy, welfare and defence spending.

They said the focus should now be on “getting Britain working again” rather than simply changing the person leading the Labour Party.

Mr Millar said: “Sir Keir Starmer may be going, but Labour’s failures remain.

“The last thing Wales and the rest of the UK needs is another Labour leader who won’t stand up to Labour MPs on welfare, energy, defence spending and action on the cost of living.

“His decision is a reminder that Kemi Badenoch is the only leader of a political party in the UK with the backbone to make tough decisions and get Britain working again.”

The resignation has triggered a major political transition at Westminster.

For Wales, the change at No 10 comes at a time of growing political pressure over public services, household costs, economic growth and the future direction of the UK Government.

Welsh Labour figures are likely to face renewed scrutiny as opposition parties seek to link the party’s record in Westminster with its long period in power in Cardiff Bay.

The Conservatives are expected to argue that a change of Labour leader will not mean a change of policy unless the party changes direction.

Starmer said in his resignation speech that becoming Prime Minister had been the “proudest moment” of his life, but accepted that his party no longer believed he was best placed to lead it into the next general election.