**Rape Retrial Scheduled for Former Swansea Teacher Daniel Gravell**
A new trial date has been arranged for Daniel Gravell, a former educator and restaurant manager, as he prepares to face a retrial concerning an allegation of rape dating back nearly two decades. The case, which has been followed with interest in south-west Wales, continues to draw attention due to its complexity and the profile of the defendant.
Daniel Gravell, who is currently serving a prison sentence following earlier convictions, stands accused of raping a woman in 2005. Gravell, 43, hailing from Porth y Plas, Johnstown, Carmarthen, denies the charge. The allegation resurfaced after a lengthy investigation and comes in the wake of a series of court proceedings related to his past conduct.
Earlier in May, Swansea Crown Court heard a range of serious accusations against Gravell during a two-week trial. Jurors found him guilty of raping a woman in Carmarthen in 2002, while he was acquitted of an alleged rape incident that reportedly took place in 2022. However, the panel of jurors failed to agree on a verdict concerning the 2005 rape accusation, resulting in the need for a retrial.
The recent hearing, conducted before Judge Geraint Walters, set March 23 of the coming year as the date for the retrial. The case is anticipated to last five days, though, as yet, a venue has not been confirmed. The court’s decision to revisit the matter underlines the complexities that can arise in cases where historic allegations, evidence, and memory present unique legal challenges.
Gravell’s history as a well-known figure in the community—having served as both a teacher in Swansea and the manager of the Baltic Inn and restaurant near Carmarthen—has ensured the proceedings have a significant public profile. Many local residents have expressed shock and disbelief about the allegations and subsequent convictions, given his respected positions in education and the hospitality industry.
Following his conviction earlier this year, Gravell was handed a nine-year prison sentence. The sentence included eight and a half years for the rape conviction and an additional six months for voyeurism, with the terms to run consecutively. Legal experts note that retrials in such serious matters are not uncommon, especially when juries are unable to reach a conclusion on a specific count, as has happened in this instance.
It is noteworthy that Gravell continues to deny any wrongdoing regarding the 2005 incident. The forthcoming retrial will thus offer both the prosecution and defence a renewed opportunity to present their cases in front of a fresh jury, potentially with new evidence or additional context to be examined.
As the retrial approaches, those interested in the Welsh legal scene or concerned with matters of justice are keenly awaiting further developments. Observers highlight the ongoing efforts of the legal system to pursue thorough and fair trials, even years after the alleged offences took place.
The outcome of the retrial is likely to have a lasting impact on all involved, including the wider community. Wales Online and other news outlets will continue to provide updates as new details emerge and the court sets further arrangements for this high-profile retrial.