Crime

Pembrokeshire man to stand trial for alleged online modelling scam

Published

2 years ago

January 5, 2024

A TRIAL date has been established for Barney Heffernan, a 31-year-old resident of St Brides Road, Little Haven, who stands accused of impersonating a representative of the popular online clothing brand Shein in order to solicit nude photographs from young girls.

The alleged incidents, involving two counts of fraud, occurred in Thame and will be examined in detail during a trial scheduled for November 11 at Oxford Crown Court.

During a plea and trial preparation hearing at the Oxford Crown Court on Thursday (January 4), Heffernan vehemently denied all charges, which include two counts of fraud, two counts of blackmail, one count of making an indecent photograph of a child, and one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The prosecution presented its case, asserting that Heffernan, pretending to be a woman named Katie representing Shein, approached two underage girls on August 30 and October 8 of the previous year.

It is alleged that, under the guise of recruiting models, he requested explicit photographs from the girls. Heffernan is further accused of blackmailing the victims by demanding the said images.

In addition to the charges, Heffernan faces one count of making an indecent photograph of a child, involving a Category C moving image.

The most serious charge is one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, wherein it is claimed that he persuaded one of the victims to touch her bare breasts while being observed over a webcam.

Heffernan’s defence strategy is anticipated to center around disputing his involvement in the offenses, maintaining that while the incidents may have occurred, he was not the perpetrator.

The accused has been granted conditional bail, allowing his release pending the trial later this year. The case has raised concerns about online safety, emphasising the need for vigilance and caution among internet users, particularly young individuals who may be targeted by individuals with malicious intent.

Crime

Milford Haven man denies child sex charges as trial date set

Published

1 hour ago

December 19, 2025

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

A MAN originally from Milford Haven has pleaded not guilty to a series of sexual offences involving a child after recently moving to Cornwall.

James Kershaw, aged 45, formerly of Milford Haven and now living in Quethiock, Cornwall, appeared in court on Friday (Dec 19), where he denied all four sexual charges put to him.

The hearing was his first Crown Court appearance in the case, during which a trial date was fixed for October 5.

Kershaw was allowed to remain on bail under strict conditions, including that he must have no contact with any prosecution witnesses.

Kershaw appeared via video link from his solicitor’s office in Cornwall. The judge described this as “a very generous decision by the listings officer” and said it had “presumably been arranged due to the distance from you to the court”.

Allegations denied

The charges relate to alleged incidents said to have taken place in Liskeard, Cornwall, between October 26 and November 1, 2023.

Kershaw is accused of engaging in sexual communication with a child under the age of 16 and of causing a child aged 13 to watch sexual activity. He also faces two allegations of causing or inciting a girl aged 13 to engage in sexual activity of a non-penetrative nature on separate dates.

In addition, Kershaw is charged with two counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed by Derby Crown Court in May 2022. These allegations include the use of an undisclosed Facebook account and the deletion of messages, both of which are said to be prohibited under the terms of that order.

Kershaw denies all allegations.

The court ordered that Kershaw may remain on bail pending trial, subject to conditions including a strict ban on contacting any witnesses.

The complainant’s identity is protected by law under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992.

The case is due to return to court when the trial begins in October.

Crime

Swansea man jailed for online child sex offence dies in hospital

Published

17 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A SWANSEA man who was jailed earlier this year for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child has died in hospital soon after leaving custody at Parc Prison.

Gareth Davies, aged 59, of the Maritime Quarter, had been serving an 18-month prison sentence after being convicted in May of sending sexually explicit messages to what he believed was a 14-year-old girl. The account was in fact a decoy used as part of an online safeguarding operation.

The court heard that Davies began communicating with the decoy between November and December 2024 and persistently pursued the individual, later attempting to arrange a face-to-face meeting. He was arrested after being confronted by the decoy operators.

Davies had pleaded not guilty but was convicted following a trial. At the time of sentencing, police described the messages as extremely concerning and said his imprisonment was necessary to protect children.

It has now been confirmed that Davies died in hospital after being at HMP Parc on Wednesday (Nov 27).

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has launched an independent investigation into the death, which is standard procedure in all cases where someone dies in custody or in hospital shortly after being at prison.

A HMP Parc spokesperson: “Mr Gareth Davies (DOB 12/08/1966) passed away at an outside hospital on 27 November 2025.

“As with all deaths in custody, this will be investigated by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. The cause of death will be for the coroner to determine.”

No cause of death has been released at this stage.

A coroner will determine the circumstances in due course.