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.

Crime

Man charged with attempted murder after Carmarthen park incident

Published

6 minutes ago

February 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

57-year-old due in court following alleged knife and stalking offences

A MAN has been charged with attempted murder following a serious incident in Carmarthen town centre last week.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that James McKenna, aged 57, from Carmarthen, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and stalking.

The charges relate to an incident in Carmarthen Park on Thursday (Jan 29), which prompted a significant emergency services response and caused concern among residents.

Police have not yet released full details of the circumstances, but officers were seen in and around the park area for several hours following the incident while enquiries were carried out.

McKenna is due to appear before Llanelli Magistrates Court on Thursday (Feb 5).

The Herald understands the case involves allegations of both violence and targeted behaviour towards an individual, with stalking listed among the charges.

Public concern

Carmarthen Park is a popular and busy public space used daily by families, dog walkers and joggers, and incidents of this severity are rare.

The news has prompted concern locally, particularly as the alleged offences include possession of a knife in a public place.

Residents have previously raised questions about safety in parks and open spaces across west Wales, especially during darker winter evenings.

Court proceedings

At this stage, the charges remain allegations and the case will now proceed through the courts.

Magistrates will decide whether the case is sent to Crown Court due to the seriousness of the attempted murder charge.

Further details are expected to emerge during Thursday’s hearing.

The Herald will be attending court and will provide updates as they become available.

Crime

Sex offender jailed after living off grid in Pembrokeshire and refusing to register

Published

43 minutes ago

February 4, 2026

Court Reporter

Man walked into police station after months avoiding authorities

A CONVICTED sex offender who told police he intended to live “off grid” rather than comply with legal monitoring rules has been jailed after handing himself in at a Pembrokeshire police station.

Christopher Spelman, aged 66, of no fixed address, appeared for sentence at Swansea Crown Court after admitting breaching the notification requirements of the sex offenders register.

The court heard Spelman was released from prison in Dorset on July 4 last year but immediately refused to provide police with an address, despite being legally required to do so within three days.

Instead, he indicated he planned to buy a tent and live outdoors.

Prosecutor Brian Simpson said officers subsequently launched a nationwide search when Spelman failed to make contact with police. Public appeals were issued and his case featured on the television programme Crimewatch.

Detectives believed he had been travelling around the UK using public transport and staying at campsites. He was known to have links to several areas including Merseyside, Manchester, Devon, Cornwall and Hampshire.

His whereabouts remained unknown until January 3 this year, when he walked into Haverfordwest police station and was arrested. It is unclear how long he had been in Pembrokeshire.

Spelman previously served seven years in prison after being convicted in 2014 of 12 counts of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 14. He was placed on the sex offenders register for life.

The court heard this was not the first time he had failed to comply with the rules. After an earlier release in 2016, he again failed to register his address and avoided police for around five years before being caught.

He has 11 previous convictions for 29 offences.

Defence barrister Andrew Evans described the case as unusual and said his client had long disputed his original conviction and had expressed a wish to live “outside society”.

However, he said Spelman had gradually accepted that he remained subject to court orders and now wanted more stable accommodation and a chance to rebuild his life. The defendant asked the court to impose a custodial sentence so arrangements could be made for his future release.

Judge Geraint Walters noted there were signs Spelman wished to change but warned that any further breaches would result in longer prison terms.

With credit for his guilty plea, Spelman was sentenced to 10 months in prison. He will serve up to half in custody before being released on licence.

Crime

Former Wales rugby star admits Christmas Day drink-driving offence

Published

6 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Ex-Ospreys captain was almost twice over limit in Pembroke town centre

Former Wales back row Jonathan Thomas has admitted driving through Pembroke town centre on Christmas Day when he was almost twice over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Thomas, 43, was stopped by officers as he drove his Mercedes CLA 220 along The Green, Pembroke, at around 5pm on Christmas Day.

“The officers were very concerned at the manner of his driving, as the car was being driven erratically and was swerving to the other side of the road,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“When Jonathan Thomas got out of the car, the officers could see that he was having difficulty standing and was unsteady on his feet.”

Subsequent breathalyser tests showed Thomas had 62 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

Thomas, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the drink-drive charge and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill.

“He has family in the area and had travelled to spend time with them on Christmas Day,” she told the magistrates. “He’s very remorseful for his actions and hugely regrets his decision that day.”

Jess Hill concluded by saying that Thomas is currently “between jobs and living off his savings”.

Thomas, who gave his address as Main Road, Bredon, was disqualified from driving for a total of 18 months.

“The length of your disqualification reflects the fact that you were more than a little bit over the limit,” commented the presiding magistrates when imposing sentence.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge.

The former Wales back row left his role as Swansea RFC head coach at the beginning of December 2025 as a result of ongoing health concerns. He was forced to retire from playing in 2015 on medical advice after being diagnosed with epilepsy and is one of the 390 former rugby union players currently taking part in a concussion lawsuit against the sport’s authorities.

“Long-standing issues linked to the head trauma have caused me some concern recently and it has been impossible for me to give the role everything it needs,” he said in a previous interview with the BBC.

His rugby career started out with Pembroke RFC juniors before moving to Swansea RFC, which he captained when he was 19. He then joined the Ospreys where, over a ten-year period, he won four league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup. He was the youngest player to captain the Ospreys and, at the time of leaving, was the joint highest appearance holder, together with Andrew Bishop, on 188 appearances.

His international career saw him play for Wales at Under-16, Youth, Under-19, Under-21 and Sevens levels. He made his senior international debut against Australia in 2003, featured at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was part of two Six Nations Grand Slam-winning sides in 2005 and 2008. Between 2004 and 2011, Thomas was included in every Wales Six Nations squad. In his appearances for Wales, he scored seven tries.