May 2018 Jeffrey Lias jailed for 18 years for rape of young girl A FORMER Haverfordwest man who raped an eight-year-old girl has been jailed today (Tuesday) for 18 years. Jeffrey Lias, aged 50, who lived at the time in Dark Street, was told he would not be released until the Parole Board were satisfied he would not re-offend. Lias was sentenced by Mr Recorder Chris Clee at Swansea crown court. Ian Wright, prosecuting, summed up an impact statement by the victim. She said her childhood had been “completely ruined” by what Lias did to her. “I have never been able to trust anyone, even now,” she wrote. “I still have nightmares. I will never forget what he did to me.” Before Mr Recorder Clee sentenced Lias Mr Wright told him that an entry had appeared online, possibly on the last day of his trial, which named the victim, despite a court order protecting her identity. Ieuan Bennett, representing Lias, said he had not posted the entry but Mr Recorder Clee instructed Dyfed Powys police to investigate the matter. “This is potentially very serious. I want the police to investigate who posted the entry and we will see what happens,” he added. Lias, who now lives in Oak Street, Preston, Lancashire, had denied rape, indecent assault and indecency with a child but was found guilty of all the charges after a trial before a jury. Mr Recorder Clee described his offending as dreadful. “You keep on shaking your head but I have to sentence you according to the verdicts of the jury. “This was a campaign. I have no hesitation in placing your offending into a high category for the purpose of sentencing,” he added. Lias will be on licence after his eventual release until 2037 and must register with the police as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Mr Recorder Clee also issued an order preventing Lias from contacting the victim. March 2018 Former Haverfordwest postman convicted of raping child A former Haverfordwest postman is to receive “a very long prison sentence” after a jury convicted him this afternoon of raping a young girl. Jeffrey Lias, aged 50, formerly of Dark Street, was found guilty of rape, indecency with a child and indecent assault following a trial at Swansea crown court. The jury heard that Lias was arrested after the girl made a complaint to her mother years after the offending had come to an end. She contacted Pembrokeshire social services who called in the police. After today’s verdicts Lias was immediately remanded into custody. The Judge, Mr Recorder Chris Clee warned him he would receive a “very long term in custody.” But he wanted a probation officer to prepare a report into whether Lias posed a danger to other young girls in the future. Lias, now of Oak Street, Preston, Lancashire, will be sentenced on March 19.