Crime

Wrongly convicted Pembrokeshire postmaster’s delight at new baby

Published

1 year ago

August 6, 2024

A PEMBROKESHIRE sub-postmaster who was unjustly prosecuted in the infamous Horizon scandal has expressed his joy over the birth of his new baby, marking a hopeful new chapter in his life.

Tim Brentnall, from Roch, Pembrokeshire, faced prosecution in 2010 for false accounting after a £22,000 shortfall was discovered at his branch. He is among the 736 former Post Office managers wrongly accused due to the flawed Horizon computer system.

The ordeal compounded the stress of trying for a baby, but now Mr Brentnall and his partner Steph are celebrating the arrival of Lando, born three weeks ago, describing him as “a dream come true”.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Mr Brentnall shared, “Ten years ago, I would never have thought it possible to be this happy and have this new life. We wanted a child for many years, and with Steph going through cancer and treatment, we had to wait for a while.”

Reflecting on the scandal’s impact, he noted, “Living next to the Post Office is a constant reminder of what happened. I was in my early 20s when we took it on, and that was going to be my future. It was all ripped away from me after five years.”

Mr Brentnall, 22 at the time, had bought the shop with his parents, aiming to secure an income and remain in his hometown. In 2009, auditors uncovered a discrepancy, leading to his suspension and subsequent interrogation at Haverfordwest police station. “It was horrific. I felt totally alone and helpless,” he recalled.

Despite knowing he had not taken any money, Mr Brentnall’s family felt pressured to cover the alleged debt, with his parents taking out a loan. Nevertheless, he was prosecuted for false accounting and, advised to plead guilty, received an 18-month suspended sentence along with 200 hours of community service.

“I really started to feel like I was trapped in a nightmare,” he said. “I felt like I was watching myself do it because I knew I didn’t do anything wrong but I was in front of a judge in Crown Court pleading guilty to a crime I didn’t commit.”

In 2021, his conviction was overturned, and he provided testimony to the Post Office inquiry in March 2022. Now, with baby Lando, Mr Brentnall and Steph are looking forward to a brighter future.

“It has been a real joy to be able to start to build towards the next chapter,” he said.

Mr Brentnall’s journey from wrongful conviction to new fatherhood underscores a remarkable resilience in the face of profound adversity. As the Horizon scandal continues to unfold, stories like his highlight the human cost behind the technical failures and institutional missteps.

For Mr Brentnall and his family, baby Lando symbolizes not just a new life, but the beginning of healing and hope after years of turmoil and distress.

Image: BBC News Hub

Crime

Milford Haven man denies child sex charges as trial date set

Published

2 hours 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

18 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.