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Crime

Former senior social worker jailed for sexual assault against a child

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A FORMER senior social worker (formerly of Pembrokeshire) who attempted to arrange to meet children for sex, and admitted enjoying ‘caressing’ a young girl, has been jailed for five years.

When police arrested Richard Ford (formerly known as Dale Richard Barker) in September 2022, they discovered more than 900 indecent images of children on his computers. Further enquiries revealed he had also sexually assaulted a child on three occasions.

The 51-year-old, formerly of Pembrokeshire, now of Princess Way Road, Hackney, was brought to Dyfed-Powys Police’s attention by two separate police officers who were working on an operation targeting people involved in online sexual exploitation. The operation deploys undercover officers with specialist online training on a range of social media sites to identify people with a sexual interest in children.

Information provided by the undercover team showed Ford had been communicating with officers on social networks for between four and six months.

Dyfed-Powys Police Detective Constable Joe Hartnell said: “One of the officers purported to be a woman with a 13-year-old daughter, while the other said they were a man with an 11-year-old adopted son, and a seven-year-old foster daughter.

“Believing the officers to be adults with a sexual interest in children, Ford took part in sexualised chat, asking to meet the officers and their children with the intention of carrying out sexual acts.

“Thankfully Ford was in contact with undercover officers at this point, and not members of the public with real children who could have come to serious harm. It is believed he had been talking to at least one other adult online, however it’s not known who this was.”

Dyfed-Powys Police’s Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT) and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) attended Ford’s home, where they seized 19 digital devices. During an in-depth forensic investigation, 913 indecent images of children were found – with more than 250 classified as Category A, the most serious.

It was established that Ford was interested in girls aged between 7 and 14, and had made comments online about ‘groping’ girls.

DC Hartnell said: “This is a man who clearly has criminal thoughts about children, and as our enquiries continued a young girl disclosed that she had been inappropriately touched by Ford on three occasions.

“She was incredibly brave in coming forward, and provided us with valuable evidence which allowed us to secure further charges against Ford.”

Ford was charged with 10 offences:

  • Possessing indecent photographs/pseudo photographs of a child (x4)
  • Distributing indecent photographs/pseudo photographs of a child
  • Attempting to cause a child aged between 13 and 15 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity
  • Attempt to arrange/facilitate the commission of child sex offence
  • Three counts of sexual assault

He appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Monday, February 26, where he was sentenced to five years in prison.

DC Hartnell added: “This has been a lengthy investigation into the actions of a man in a position of trust as a senior social worker, who in fact could not be trusted around children.

“I would like to commend the bravery of the victim in coming forward and talking to officers, as well as acknowledging the work of various departments across Dyfed-Powys Police in gathering strong evidence to convict Ford, and the support of Pembrokeshire County Council.

“We are committed to pursuing those intent on committing harm against the most vulnerable in our society, and would like to assure victims that they will be treated with compassion and dignity when they choose to report crimes to us.”

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesperson added: “We are aware that an individual formerly employed by the council has been sentenced for several child sex offences.

“These offences were not committed by the individual in the course of their employment with the council, and as with any investigation into child sexual abuse, the local authority cooperated with the criminal investigation, and took all steps to ensure that any children impacted by such offences are identified and supported.

“Anyone who has a concern about the welfare of a child can contact police on 101, the child care assessment team on 01437 764551, or in an emergency, dial 999.”

 

Crime

Carmarthenshire man admits ABH, affray and damage to police vehicle

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A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has been remanded in custody after admitting a series of offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, affray, and criminal damage to a Dyfed-Powys Police vehicle.

Justin Thomas, 33, of no fixed abode, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Monday, July 6.

Thomas admitted assaulting Kayleigh Marshall in Llanelli on June 27, 2025, causing her actual bodily harm.

He also admitted criminal damage following an incident in Llanelli on June 7, 2026, when a police vehicle belonging to Dyfed-Powys Police was damaged.

On the same date, Thomas was further charged with affray, after using or threatening unlawful violence towards others in conduct which would have caused a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for their safety.

He also admitted damaging a window and property fixtures belonging to Phillip’s Lane Ltd.

Magistrates committed Thomas to Swansea Crown Court for sentence, ruling that their sentencing powers were insufficient.

He was remanded in custody ahead of his next hearing, which is due to take place at Swansea Crown Court on Monday, July 27.

Court records state that bail was refused due to the nature and seriousness of the offences, his previous record and character, and concerns that he was likely to offend.

The court also noted that Thomas was subject to a conditional discharge for assaulting a police constable at the time the latest offences were committed.

 

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Crime

Five seriously injured in A4067 crash near Craig-y-Nos

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Child airlifted to hospital as two men arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving

FIVE people were seriously injured following a multi-vehicle collision on the A4067 near Craig-y-Nos, Powys, on Sunday evening.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the crash happened at around 5:50pm on Sunday, July 5, and involved a green Ford Fiesta, a black Volkswagen Polo and a grey Vauxhall Grandland.

A five-year-old child was airlifted to hospital with injuries believed to be life-threatening. Police said the child remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Four other people were also seriously injured and taken to hospital for treatment.

The driver of the green Ford Fiesta, a 39-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and child neglect.

Police later identified a yellow Ford Fiesta as also being involved in the incident. Its driver, a 65-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Both men remain in police custody.

Officers are now appealing for witnesses, particularly anyone who was travelling on the A4067 near Craig-y-Nos at the time of the collision and may have dashcam footage.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

Those who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired can text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.

Quote reference: DP-20260703-277

 

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Crime

Prosecution outlines ‘planned attack’ as Milford Haven teacher stabbing trial opens

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Jury hears teenager allegedly brought kitchen knife into school before teacher was stabbed in the head

THE JURY in the trial of a 15-year-old boy accused of attempting to murder a Milford Haven teacher has this afternoon heard the prosecution’s detailed account of the alleged classroom attack.

The teenager, who cannot be named because he is under 18, denies attempting to murder Vicki Williams at Milford Haven Comprehensive School on Wednesday, February 5, 2026.

Opening the case at Swansea Crown Court, Christopher Rees KC told jurors that the boy had brought a large kitchen knife into school in his bag before allegedly following Miss Williams into an empty classroom shortly after 3pm.

The prosecution alleges the teacher was alone and vulnerable when the defendant entered the room and launched what Mr Rees described as a “planned and murderous attack”.

Jurors were told Miss Williams suffered a penetrating stab wound to the top of her head, as well as injuries to her hands during a struggle for the weapon. The court also heard she sustained scratches and grazes to her back.

Mr Rees told the court: “The prosecution say the defendant planned and launched a murderous attack on the teacher. He deliberately stabbed Vicki Williams in the head.”

The court heard that Miss Williams shouted for help, after which the defendant ran from the classroom.

Emergency services attended the school and Miss Williams was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. She was discharged later the same evening.

The alleged attack led to a temporary lockdown at Milford Haven Comprehensive School and caused widespread concern among parents, pupils and staff in the town.

This morning’s proceedings included jury selection and legal discussions before the prosecution opened its case shortly after midday. A jury of 12, along with an alternate juror, has been sworn in.

The defendant denies attempted murder, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, and unlawful wounding. He has previously admitted possessing a bladed article.

Matthew Roberts KC is representing the teenager. The trial is being heard before Judge Paul Thomas KC and is expected to last up to three weeks.

The court is expected to hear further evidence over the coming days about the circumstances leading up to the incident, the injuries suffered by Miss Williams, and the explanation put forward by the defence.

The trial continues.

 

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