Crime
Man who raped three women given 27-year extended sentence
A WEST WALES man who raped a woman he had just met in the woods outside Lampeter, after similar attacks on two other women in recent years, has been sentenced to a 27-year extended sentence.
Following a short man hunt in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, Saul Rowan Henvey was arrest on May 7th 2021, for a rape the previous day when he led a woman he had just met in Lampeter into the woods, told her he loved her, before carrying out his attack.
The 47-year-old, from the Tregaron area, was charged with that rape on 8th May 2021 and remanded to court, where he was further remanded into custody.
As part of an intensive investigation, officers revisited another rape allegation against Henvey in May 2019.
The victim said Henvey had approached her when she was alone in the front garden of her home in Lampeter.
He manipulated her into allowing him into her home where he raped her later that day.
Henvey continued to manipulate this victim for several months after the rape, until she found the strength to report what had happened to Domestic Violence Support officers, who then alerted the police in January 2020.
That case wasn’t progressed at the time due to evidential issues, however, the victim in that case, who was completely unrelated to the latest victim, had reported Henvey’s behaviours that matched the recent attack.
Then, following the publicity after Henvey’s charge for the woodland attack in Lampeter, a further unrelated victim came forward to report a rape in the Llanddewi Brefi area between March and April 2021.
In that incident Henvey approaching a lone female while she was at home and convinced her to allow him to stay by claiming to be homeless. On two separate occasions, the woman woke in the night to find Henvey raping her whilst she slept in her own bed.
Senior investigating officer, DI Adam Cann, said: “This case has shown the importance of reporting to police when you are the victim of rape or sexual assault.
“Due to a lack of appropriate evidence, initially we were not able to get justice for the first victim. However, Henvey’s actions and pattern of offending meant we were able to prove a pattern that convinced the jury of his guilt.”
Henvey was back at Swansea Crown Court, where he was found guilty of four counts of rape following trial on March 7, today when the judge sentenced him to a 27-year extended sentence – 21 years in custody plus six years on licence.
He was told he would serve two thirds of his sentence before being able to apply for parole.
Henvey was placed on the sex offenders register for life and given an indefinite restraining order for each victim.
Throughout the investigation and trial the victims were supported by specialist officers and the additional compassion and support provided by New Pathways in guiding the victims through the process has been invaluable.
DI Adam Cann said: “The sentence handed to Henvey today is welcomed and we hope it will give some comfort to his victims and allows them to move on with their lives.
“As officers, we have witnessed the devastating effect Henvey’s heinous, violent actions had on his victims.
“Despite this they have shown incredible strength, bravery and determination to see the investigation through and help us make sure he is locked up where he can’t do the same to other women.
“I hope this reassures people that Dyfed-Powys Police will not tolerate such terrible crimes and gives anyone who has been attacked like this the confidence to come forward.
“We will listen to you and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”
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Arrest after fatal Carmarthenshire hit-and-run
A MAN has been arrested following a fatal hit-and-run collision in Llanpumsaint, Carmarthenshire, on Monday (December 23), which claimed the life of 38-year-old Aaron Jones.
The incident happened near Caer Salem Baptist Chapel between 6:45pm and 7:45pm while Aaron was walking his dog. Police said the vehicle involved, a blue car with noticeable damage, was travelling northbound through the village at the time of the collision.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that the vehicle believed to have been involved has now been located, and a 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop for a collision, and failing to report a collision.
Specially trained officers are supporting Aaron’s family, who have asked for privacy during this difficult time.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We are appealing to anyone who may have seen the vehicle or has dashcam footage from the area during the relevant times to contact us immediately.”
The road remains closed while investigations continue, and residents can expect an increased police presence in the area.
Anyone with dashcam footage, doorbell camera recordings, or CCTV footage from the area is urged to check their recordings and contact Dyfed-Powys Police immediately using the details provided in the comments.
Crime
Repeat offender jailed for breaching Sexual Harm Prevention Order
A SERIAL offender who repeatedly defied a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) has been handed a three-year prison sentence following his latest breaches while living in Pembrokeshire.
Adrian John Thomas, 31, of no fixed abode, was originally made subject to a SHPO and notification requirements in 2017 after being convicted of offences involving a 14-year-old girl. Despite the restrictions imposed on him, Thomas has shown a persistent pattern of non-compliance.
The latest sentencing at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Dec 19) addressed four fresh breaches of the SHPO and one count of failing to meet notification requirements.
Following his release from prison in October 2023, Thomas initially registered at an approved address in Swansea. By January, he had moved to Pembrokeshire and declared himself as having no fixed address to the police.
However, it later emerged that he had moved in with his mother, who resides in sheltered housing, without notifying authorities of his change in circumstances—a direct violation of his notification requirements.
While living with his mother, Thomas took control of her iPhone, setting up a PIN and facial recognition lock without her consent. He then used the device to create multiple social media accounts, including Instagram, Gmail, and Facebook profiles, all in clear breach of his SHPO terms.
The court heard how Thomas’s actions left his mother feeling distressed and powerless in her own home.
Prosecutors revealed Thomas’s extensive criminal history, including eight previous convictions spanning 15 offences. Between February 2019 and October 2022 alone, he breached the SHPO 11 times and once failed to comply with notification requirements, resulting in multiple prison sentences.
In mitigation, the defence argued that Thomas had shown remorse and was struggling with his mental health. They claimed he had no viable housing options other than moving in with his mother or living in a tent.
Judge Paul Thomas KC delivered a stark assessment of the defendant’s repeated disregard for court orders.
“Your track record shows a persistent determination to flout the Sexual Harm Prevention Order placed on you after a serious child sexual offence conviction,” the judge said.
“You have breached this order and notification requirements time and time again. You misled the police about your living arrangements, manipulated your mother’s phone despite her pleas, and did so while on licence from a previous sentence.”
The judge concluded: “You seem entirely undeterred by the consequences of your actions.”
Thomas was sentenced to three years in prison, with a review of the SHPO’s duration scheduled for January.
Crime
Police hunt driver after dog walker killed in Carmarthenshire hit-and-run
A PEDESTRIAN walking his dog has died after being struck in a hit-and-run collision on a Carmarthenshire road on Monday (December 23).
The incident occurred in Llanpumsaint, near Caer Salem Baptist Chapel, between 6:45pm and 7:45pm.
The road remains closed, and police are urgently appealing for information to locate the driver of a blue vehicle believed to have fled the scene.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We are actively searching for the driver of a blue vehicle with noticeable damage, which was involved in a fatal hit-and-run collision in Llanpumsaint, Carmarthenshire. The driver left the scene, and locating them is now our top priority.
“We are appealing directly to the driver to do the right thing and come forward. Additionally, we urge anyone who may have seen the vehicle or has dashcam footage from the area during the relevant times to contact us immediately.
“This collision, which tragically resulted in the death of a pedestrian, happened near Caer Salem Baptist Chapel between 6:45pm and 7:45pm on Monday, December 23, as the man was walking his dog.
“Our investigation indicates the vehicle was travelling northbound through Llanpumsaint at the time of the incident.”
The road is expected to remain closed for some time while enquiries continue. Police stress that any piece of information, no matter how small, could be crucial in identifying and locating the driver. Anyone with information is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police immediately using the details provided in the comments.
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