ANTHONY JONES FROM MILFORD HAVEN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR RAPE IN TAXI CRIME

In April 2021, a disturbing case unfolded in Milford Haven involving a local taxi driver who was ultimately convicted of a serious sexual assault. Anthony Marcus Jones, a resident of the Mount Estate in Milford Haven, was found guilty of raping a woman in the back of his cab after a night out. The incident took place during a period when the victim was heavily intoxicated and unable to give clear consent, raising grave concerns about the safety and trust placed in service providers like taxi drivers.

Despite the passage of several days between the incident and the victim reporting it to authorities, Dyfed-Powys Police managed to assemble a compelling case against Jones. The investigation was notably thorough, involving a detailed collection of evidence and the support of specialist officers who assisted the victim throughout the process. The police’s diligent efforts paid off when a jury at Swansea Crown Court unanimously convicted Jones of rape, leading to his sentencing to a decade behind bars.

A detective constable involved in the case emphasized the resilience of the victim, stating, “This investigation spanned nearly three years, during which time the victim showed strength and determination in getting justice.” The officer also highlighted the challenges faced due to the absence of forensic evidence, as the incident was reported four days after it occurred. Nevertheless, the police team worked tirelessly, analyzing CCTV footage from multiple cameras both inside and outside the pub the victim had visited, as well as conducting inquiries with friends to piece together the sequence of events.

The investigation revealed that the victim had been out in Milford Haven, where she became intoxicated. After leaving the pub, she was assisted outside by friends and called a taxi to take her home. However, she was unable to recall her address, prompting the driver to contact a colleague—Anthony Jones—to pick her up. Jones, aware of her residence, met the initial taxi in a car park in Haverfordwest, where the victim was transferred between vehicles. It was during this journey that Jones committed the assault, raping her in the back of the cab before leaving her outside her home in a state of undress.

Several days later, Jones contacted the victim, claiming that they had engaged in consensual sex. The victim immediately disputed this account, confiding in a friend and prompting her to contact the police. The case was a clear breach of trust, with the police condemning Jones’s actions as a gross exploitation of a vulnerable woman. The detective constable remarked, “This was a despicable betrayal of trust by a man who was responsible for getting a woman home safely after a night out.” CCTV footage confirmed the victim’s intoxicated state, and authorities emphasized that anyone considering sexual activity under such circumstances was grossly taking advantage of her vulnerability.

Jones’s actions led to a severe legal consequence. He was sentenced to ten years in prison and is required to register as a sex offender for life, underscoring the gravity of his misconduct and the justice served in this case.