Rhyl sexual exploitation case re-spark grooming inquiry call
The individuals, aged between 24 and 60, face multiple charges related to the investigation:
Darren Millar, MS for Clwyd West, said: 'This case provides yet further evidence in support of my calls for a Wales-wide grooming gang inquiry.
'In spite of repeated reassurances from the First Minister and Welsh police forces, it is clear from the testimony of brave victims, and from cases in both north and south of the country, that grooming gangs have been operating in Wales.
"We need to know the full extent of these problems in order that we can protect vulnerable children, ensure that perpetrators are held to account for their evil crimes, and secure justice for victims.
"The lack of urgency from either the Welsh or UK Governments on this issue is alarming and a cause for concern. It's been two months since the UK Government promised a national inquiry yet we've seen no evidence of progress."
He added, "When I called for an inquiry back in January, other politicians tried to shut me down but cases like this make me all the more determined to fight for victims."
The four men, charged in connection to the child sexual exploitation and trafficking offences in Denbighshire, appeared at Llandudno Magistrates' Court on Friday, August 8 and have all been remanded in custody.
They will next appear at Mold Crown Court on Friday, September 5.
North Wales Police have received further authorisation to charge a female with offences linked to the investigation and she will appear before the court this week.
A 61-year-old man from London, also arrested as part of the investigation, has been released on bail pending further inquiries.
Operation Embank and Operation Zirconium are linked investigations that have been led by North Wales Police.
The investigations involve three teenage female victims, who made reports in relation to a series of offences in Rhyl and the surrounding area between April 2022 and March 2024.
Detective Chief Inspector Rich Sidney, of North Wales Police, said: 'This has been a complex and long-running investigation. We have liaised with the Crown Prosecution Service throughout the process and this collaboration has resulted in authority to charge the suspects involved with multiple serious offences being provided.
'We would now ask for people to respect the judicial process and to avoid online speculation on this case. This is to ensure the integrity of the investigation and court proceedings.'
Specialist Prosecutor Louisa Robertson at the CPS said: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised North Wales Police to charge four males and one female in respect of these two investigations.
'The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against each individual are now active and that they all have a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.'
In January 2025, Mr Millar said a statutory inquiry covering Wales and England, revealed by the prime minister, was "welcome but long overdue".
In February, the Senedd rejected calls for a Welsh inquiry, but members voted unanimously that the Welsh government should consider one.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
More countries added to UK's ‘deport first' scheme for foreign criminals
Foreign criminals from 15 more countries face deportation before they have a chance to appeal in an expansion of the UK government's 'deport first, appeal later' scheme. Ministers are extending the scheme, which applies in England and Wales and was restarted in 2023, to cover 23 countries including India, Bulgaria, Australia and Canada. The policy, which was introduced by the Conservatives in 2014, removes the right of foreign criminals to appeal against their conviction in the UK unless they show they are at risk of harm if they are deported to their country of origin. It is already operational in eight countries including Tanzania, Finland, Estonia and Belize. Other countries brought under the scheme by Labour ministers include Angola, Botswana, Brunei, Canada, Guyana, Indonesia, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Uganda and Zambia. The move is part of the Labour government's efforts to step up the deportations of foreign criminals to deal with overcrowded prisons and public concerns about crime. Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary, announced proposals on Sunday to allow foreign criminals given fixed-term sentences to be deported immediately after sentencing and barred from re-entering the UK. Those serving life sentences, such as terrorists and murderers, are exempt and will serve their full prison sentence in the UK before being considered for deportation. The policy has come under fire from two former Conservative justice secretaries who say it risks making the UK a soft touch for foreign criminals, because offenders would not be serving sentences at home. The former justice secretary Alex Chalk told the Guardian: 'I have real misgivings about this, and it could make people in Britain a magnet for crime from foreign national offenders.' He told Times Radio that 'rapists, people who commit child cruelty, aggravated burglars, knife crimers, domestic abusers' who were deported to their home countries 'would not have to spend a day in custody'. 'If you have been the victim of an appalling rape that has shattered your life, and you pluck up the courage to go to court, the jury convict this guy [and] within two weeks he's in Tirana, drinking a cocktail paid by the British taxpayer, and on TikTok laughing at his victim,' Chalk said. 'The real danger is you're giving a green light to foreign national offenders. You come to Britain, you're not going to get punished. You're thinking: the worst that happens to me is I'm released immediately and put on a plane.' He added: 'You've got to have a measure of justice so if you come to our country and commit a crime, you expect punishment. I would urge parliament to scrutinise this extremely carefully'. Robert Buckland, another former justice secretary, said Chalk was right to express concerns. 'Many victims of these crimes want justice to be served here first before deportation. Has the government taken the views of victims into consideration in all of this?' The Ministry of Justice confirmed to the Guardian that foreign offenders deported under the expansion of the 'deport first, appeal later' scheme would not necessarily face prison in their home country. After a legal challenge, the supreme court ruled in 2007 that the 'deport first, appeal later' system was unlawful because it infringed on people's right to give live evidence to their appeal. The government dealt with the court's concerns by setting up agreements with several countries for foreign criminals to give live evidence to their appeal hearings using a video link. The scheme was restarted in 2023. Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, said that 'for far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system, remaining in the UK for months or even years while their appeals drag on. That has to end. 'Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system, which is why we are restoring control and sending a clear message that our laws must be respected and will be enforced.' David Lammy, the foreign secretary, said ministers were in talks with several countries about extending the scheme. Foreign offenders make up about 12% of the prison population in England and Wales, with each prison place costing an average of £54,000 each year, according to the government. Of the new countries covered by the scheme, only Indians are in the top nationalities in the prison population. Officials said that in the year since Labour came to power in July 2024, 5,179 foreign nationals who had been convicted of crimes had been deported, a 14% increase on the year before.
The Independent
8 hours ago
- The Independent
Scout group ‘racially abused' after being mistaken for migrants
A group of teenage Scouts were allegedly abused online with 'offensive and racist' language, after being mistaken for a group of illegal immigrants by Welsh locals. The group had been camping at the CRAI Scout Activity Park in Newbridge when a video began to circulate online on Facebook falsely claiming that Gwent police were guarding the site. The video, which showed the group of over 30 youngsters being collected by coach, has since been deleted. Police confirmed they were investigating the comments made on the video for racism offences. Temporary chief superintendent Jason White said the force wanted to correct 'mistruths' circulating on social media and were making inquiries about posts containing 'inappropriate and offensive language'. 'The group featured in the video were visiting from another part of the country to attend a frequently used Scout camp in Newbridge and many of the people in the video are children,' he said. 'The site is not used to house anyone on a permanent basis. The site is used by our dog handlers to train our police dogs when not used for visits and our officers are not guarding the location. 'So, with that in mind, we're asking everyone to consider the tone and sentiment of their language but also for people to think twice about what they might read online and look for trusted voices within our communities.' ScoutsCymru described the venue as 'an inclusive and welcoming campsite and activity centre' with a range of activities for youth and community groups. 'We are aware of a racially aggravated incident targeting under-18s who were leaving after visiting our activity centre and are working closely with the South Wales police to address this situation,' a spokesman said. They added: 'We are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone on site and will continue to take immediate and robust action against any behaviour that threatens this.' The CRAI Scout Activity Park is a campsite and activity centre near Caerphilly in the South Wales valleys. On their website, it states they offer camping, hammocking and indoor accommodation, as well as providing a conference room, kitchen, dormitories and toilet with shower.
North Wales Chronicle
9 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Tributes paid to third victim of Beaumaris collision
Humphrey Pickering was 81 years old and lived in Colwyn Bay. His family described him as a 'much-loved husband, father, grand and great-grandfather, brother and uncle' and said he will be 'terribly missed by us all.' They also extended their sympathies to the family of The Revered Stephen and Katherine Burch, who were killed after being struck by Mr Pickering's car in the incident on 28 August 2024. The Revered Stephen and Katherine Burch (Image: North Wales Police) The family said: 'Humphrey Pickering was a lifelong learner who loved travel, learning new languages and experiencing new cultures. 'His career centred around libraries, learning, and bringing knowledge to communities throughout Europe and as far away as the South Pacific. He was a valued colleague, boss, friend, and mentor to many. 'In retirement he continued to serve his community through volunteering and was a member of rotary and town-twinning. He was also a keen gardener, tending his trees, flowers, and vegetables throughout the year. 'Our family want to thank the emergency services and members of the public who assisted at the scene, and to those who provided care and support to our mother, especially the staff at the Bulkley Hotel, who kept her safe until we were able to come to Beaumaris to be by her side." (Image: North Wales Police) They added: 'We also want to thank those who have worked tirelessly since, to uncover the events of that day and provide an explanation of what happened on that fateful day. These answers will help us move forward in our grief and are a small step towards our family accepting this tragic accident and the devastating loss to both our family and the family of Revd Stephen and Katherine Burch. 'We extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to the Burch family, we are devastated for their loss, a loss that will always weigh heavily on us. 'We hope the outcome of the inquest will also help them in some small way.' The inquest into the deaths of Mr Pickering, and Mr and Mrs Burch took place in Caernarfon on Thursday, August 7. The road traffic collision occurred on Wednesday, August 28 2024. It involved Mr Pickering's grey coloured Audi A8, which collided with Mr and Mrs Burch as they walked along Alma Street, Beaumaris. North West Wales senior coroner Kate Robertson concluded Mr Pickering had pressed his car's accelerator by mistake, before colliding with the couple.
