HAVERFORDWEST Magistrates’ Court was supposed to have been the venue for the initial hearing of Nathan John, a resident of Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, on July 23.
Mr John, aged 19, of Richard John Road, faces multiple charges which include include the creation of indecent images, multiple counts of sexual assault, and the possession of extreme pornographic material. These charges cover incidents that allegedly took place between July and October of 2022.
He is being held in custody, and did not attend court because he refused to leave his cell at Parc Prison.
Mr John, represented by defence solicitor Tom Lloyd, is accused of making an indecent photograph of a child on 30th July 2022. Further charges include causing a female aged 13 or over to engage in a penetrative sexual activity on 2nd October 2022, and the rape of a woman over 16 on the same date. Additionally, he is accused of possessing extreme pornographic images depicting acts with animals during the period from July to September 2022.
The courtroom, overseen by District Judge J Layton, heard that the complainants’ anonymity is protected under the Sexual Offences Amendment Act 1992. Prosecution counsel Abigail Jackson outlined the charges, and stressed the seriousness of the allegations.
Due to the fact the defendant had allegedly refused to leave his cell, the hearing was adjourned, and was rescheduled for a later in the week.
At the new hearing on Thursday, no pleas were entered, and the case was sent up to Swansea Crown Court.
A HMP Parc spokesperson told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “The hearing was adjourned because Mr John refused to attend. It was rearranged and the hearing has now taken place.”
