Crime

Paedophile jailed for breaching Sexual Harm Prevention Order

Published

6 hours ago

October 1, 2024

A 21-YEAR-OLD man from Haverfordwest who breached a sexual harm prevention order and possessed a burner phone containing indecent images of children has been jailed for 16 months.

Euwyn Draper, of Goat Street, appeared at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday, 26th September. This follows his previous conviction for making and distributing indecent images of children. In April, Draper had received a six-month suspended sentence and was ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

As part of his sentence, Draper was also subjected to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. The order prohibited him from using any internet-enabled devices not registered with the police, deleting internet history or applications, and holding social media accounts under false names.

During his initial registration, Draper informed police that he only owned an Xbox and a mobile phone capable of internet access. However, he was later advised to delete a second Instagram account, which he had registered under an alias, and a Snapchat account due to the app’s auto-deleting messages.

In an earlier hearing, the court was informed that between 5th May and 10th July, the e-safe software on Draper’s registered phone flagged multiple screenshots showing the Snapchat logo. The defendant admitted to having used Snapchat on his phone, despite knowing this was in breach of his prevention order, before deleting the app.

A subsequent police visit to Draper’s home uncovered a second, unregistered phone hidden under his pillow. The accounts on this phone matched those on his registered device. Draper claimed it was an old phone he had “forgotten about” and believed to be non-functional.

Officers discovered a total of eleven indecent images of children across Draper’s devices. Seven of these were classified as the most serious Category A images, three as Category B, and one as Category C. According to Prosecutor Emily Bennett, these images were created in November and December 2023, prior to the imposition of the sexual harm prevention order.

Draper pleaded guilty to three charges of breaching a sexual harm prevention order and four counts of making indecent images of children.

In his defence, it was argued that Draper had not yet had the opportunity to engage in rehabilitation work to address his offending. “He now acknowledges he has an unhealthy interest and a compulsion to view the material,” said defence barrister Dan Griffiths. The court also heard that Draper had spent two months in custody and had been evicted from his home.

On Thursday, Draper was sentenced to 16 months in prison for the breaches of his sexual harm prevention order and for making indecent images of children.

Crime

Tenby businessman jailed for sustained and merciless attack on ex-partner

Published

7 hours ago

October 1, 2024

Court Reporter

A BUSINESSMAN from Tenby has been jailed for a brutal assault on his former partner. Oliver Torkington, 39, who manages call centres, was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and strangulation in relation to the attack that took place at an address in St Clears on March 23. Torkington had denied the charges but was convicted following a trial at Swansea Crown Court.

The court heard that Torkington attacked his girlfriend out of “paranoid jealousy” after seeing her speaking to a doorman during a night out. His jealousy was further fuelled by the fact that his partner had seen another man during a break in their relationship.

Summing up the evidence presented at trial, Judge Paul Thomas KC described the incident as “a brutal, sustained and merciless attack.” Addressing Torkington, the judge said, “She was very drunk and defenceless in your flat. You strangled her, punched her, and stamped on her head. You also thrashed her savagely and repeatedly with a thin piece of metal.”

The victim suffered a broken finger and continues to suffer from ringing in her ear, a lasting impact from the attack. The court also heard that Torkington had confiscated his partner’s phone during the assault, preventing her from calling for help.

Prosecutor Jon Tarrant revealed that Torkington, who was living on Pembroke Road in Haverfordwest at the time, has a significant criminal record. He has 16 previous convictions for 24 offences, including 12 offences involving violence.

In mitigation, Harriet Ealden, representing Torkington, described the attack as “impulsive and spontaneous,” emphasising that there was no premeditation involved. “All of these matters appear to be linked with drinking and perhaps illicit substances,” Ms Ealden stated. “Since this incident, he has taken steps to address that. He informs me he is six months clean and sober. It has certainly woken him up.”

Ms Ealden also noted that Torkington had completed a drug rehabilitation course while on remand and highlighted that his previous convictions for violence were not related to domestic incidents. She added that at the time of the assault, Torkington was “in a poor place” and faced losing his house, car, and job.

However, Judge Thomas was unswayed by the mitigation, branding Torkington “a coward as well as a bully.” He went on to say, “The simple fact is that you do not have the guts to admit what you have done. I wonder how you would feel if any man treated your daughter how you treated your partner in this case.”

Torkington was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison for the assault, with an additional 20-month concurrent sentence for strangulation. In addition, a five-year restraining order was granted to his ex-partner, prohibiting him from contacting her.

Crime

Harassment and criminal damage case adjourned

Published

11 hours ago

October 1, 2024

Court Reporter

RICHARD WAKELY, 45, of Castle Street, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with breaching a restraining order by entering the home of the victim on 8th September 2024 in Pembroke. Wakely had previously indicated a guilty plea and was remanded on conditional bail. His case was adjourned to 7th October 2024 for sentencing.

Wakely also faced a separate charge of criminal damage to a police vehicle on the same date. He was granted conditional bail, including prohibitions on contacting the victim and exclusion from specified premises.

Crime

Drink driving offence results in disqualification and fine

Published

11 hours ago

October 1, 2024

Court Reporter

STEPHEN JONES, aged 61, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (September 30).

He was charged with driving a motor vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit. The incident occurred on 4th August 2024, when Jones was found driving a Mercedes GLA 220 on Market Street with 67 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit.

Jones changed his plea to guilty on the morning of the trial. The court disqualified him from driving for 20 months, which could be reduced by 20 weeks if he completes a drink-drive rehabilitation course by 9th November 2025. In addition to the driving ban, Jones was fined £450, ordered to pay £300 in prosecution costs, and a £180 surcharge. Payments are to be made in monthly instalments of £70, starting on 28th October 2024.