Crime

Ex-South Wales Police officer found guilty of misuse of power

Published

3 years ago

August 20, 2023

A former South Wales Police officer, Richard Helling, was recently brought to court following an investigation that exposed his corrupt activities.

The Anti-Corruption Unit’s vigilance led to concerns about Helling. It was revealed that he misused his position as a police constable, reaching out to four victims of crime he encountered in his line of duty using his personal phone. Not only did he attempt to foster a relationship with two of these victims, but he also engaged in sexual relationships with two others.

Upon his arrest, Helling, in a bid to cover his tracks, reached out to one of the victims, urging them to erase their message exchanges. This further led to his arrest for attempting to obstruct a criminal investigation and destroy incriminating evidence.

The enquiry also brought to light Helling’s unauthorised access to police computer systems for personal purposes. He conducted searches without any policing intent and disclosed confidential information to the public.

Helling faced trial at Swansea Crown Court in July. He entered a guilty plea to four counts of corrupt or improper exercise of police powers and privileges as outlined under section 26 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015. Furthermore, he pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and two counts of computer misuse as described in sections 1 and 3 of the Computer Misuse Act 1990. The court handed him a 15-month prison sentence.

Shortly after his conviction, Helling, having joined the force in 2018, tendered his resignation just days ahead of an Accelerated Misconduct Hearing on 3rd August, presided over by Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan.

The hearing concluded that Helling’s actions amounted to gross misconduct. Had he still been in service, an immediate dismissal would have been the verdict.

Chief Constable Vaughan remarked at the hearing, “The trust vested in police officers should be absolute. It’s deeply regrettable that former PC Helling abused this trust. While most of our 5,500 officers and staff of South Wales Police are dedicated and uphold the highest standards, there is absolutely no place for those who choose to forsake their duties.”

In 2019, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary released a report titled “Shining a Light on Betrayal: Abuse of Position for a Sexual Purpose”. One key recommendation was that police forces implement monitoring software to detect system misuse effectively. Additionally, forces were advised to frequently review data about their staff’s usage of force systems and communication devices.

Last year’s inspection identified South Wales Police as one of two forces recognised for its outstanding approach to handling corruption and vetting officers and staff. The assessment reviewed the force’s vetting processes, information protection measures, and corruption management.

Chief Superintendent Mark Lenihan, Head of Professional Standards, emphasised the significance of the Anti-Corruption Unit’s diligent monitoring and investigative methods. He stated, “Without these tools and techniques, this misconduct would have gone unnoticed, leaving a corrupt officer in our midst.”

Lenihan concluded by reiterating that the majority of police officers and staff are committed public servants who would never engage in such reprehensible actions.

Crime

Local carpenter retains driving licence despite previous ban

Published

10 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A Herbrandston carpenter has been allowed to keep his driving licence despite a previous driving disqualification for using his mobile phone whilst driving.

Addressing District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this week, Simon Shaw stressed the disqualification was having a major impact on his work commitment as well as his ability to support members of his family.

“If the ban continues, at least two of my five employees will have to be lost” said Shaw, who works as a self-employed carpenter operating from Herbrandston and the Milford Haven Industrial Estate.

“We travel throughout the whole of West Wales and also work at Thorne Island, where we’ve been providing logistical support for renovations for the last four years.”

Shaw, of Triplestone Close, Herbrandston, went on to say that his business has only one other driver who works as a reserve fire fighter.

“As a result, he’s not available to provide the 24 hour cover we provide to various care homes in the county,” he said.

Simon Shaw concluded by stating that his daughter is also dependent on his support having recently given birth to twins while his son-in-law and his partner’s mother are both currently undergoing serious healthcare treatments.

“I’m trying to provide as much logistical support for them as I can, but without my driving licence, this is impossible,” he said.

After listening to his comments, Judge Layton granted Shaw permission to retain his licence.

Crime

Delivery driver caught twice over legal drink-drive limit

Published

11 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A DELIVERY driver has been banned from the roads after being caught behind the wheel when he was over twice the legal drink-drive limit.

Twenty-nine year old Sam Rowe was stopped by officers just before 9.30 am on April 20 as he drove his Vauxhall Vivaro along Ferry Lane in Pembroke Dock.

“His speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this week.

“There was also a strong smell of intoxicants emanating from him.”

When spoken to by the officers, Rowe stated he’d drunk a pint of alcohol approximately an hour before being stopped, however subsequent breathalyser tests showed he had no less than 75 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

Rowe, of Hazel Close, Pontypool, pleaded guilty to the offence and was represented in court by solicitor Michael Kelleher who informed the court that the defendant was holidaying in Pembrokeshire at the time of the offence.

“His daughter fell ill and he was attempting to find painkillers for her at a supermarket,” he said. “He’s very remorseful and is now going to lose his job as a delivery driver.”

Rowe, who has no previous convictions, was disqualified from driving for a total of 20 months. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Crime

Police tip-off leads to driving ban for Milford motorist

Published

11 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE motorist has lost his licence after police received information that the 40-year-old male may have been driving under the influence of drugs.

This week Haverfordwest Magistrates court was told that at around 8.30pm on November 22 officers received a call informing them that Michael Miles was suspected of driving his Peugeot Bipper through Milford Haven after consuming drugs.

Miles was subsequently stopped on Marble Hall Road and when spoken to by the officers, he informed them that he was a drug user. A saliva sample tested positive for cocaine while further tests carried out at the police station showed that Miles had 760 mcg of the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine in his system, the legal limit being 50.

Miles, of Milford Road, Steynton, chose to be legally unrepresented in court and pleaded guilty to the drug-driving charge.

The probation service said he was very remorseful for the offence and has since had appointments with the Dyfed Drugs and Alcohol Service to help him deal with his drug usage. Miles was served with an interim driving disqualification however as a result of his previous non-payment of fines, his punitive sentencing was adjourned to Thursday, May 7.

“If you pay your outstanding fines before Thursday, you will be fined for this offence,” warned District Judge Mark Layton. “But if you don’t pay, you will be given a custodial sentence.”