Holy island of Caldey, home to 40 people who are mainly MONKS, has recorded its first crime in living memory

A SMALL island off the coast of Wales famous for its perfume-making monks and solitude has recorded its first crime in living memory.

Police were called to attend the scene of an assault on Caldey Island, which has a population of just 40, in September.

It is so remote that officers had to be carried by an RNLI lifeboat two miles to the island off the Pembrokeshire coast to make the arrest.

The Caldey “crime of the century” was revealed in court when the arrested holidaymaker, who had been on the island on a day-trip from Dudley, West Midlands, admitted the assault.

The famous holy island is home to a monastery for 18 monks and a few farmers who work on the land, and has no criminal convictions in living memory.

Caldey Island welcomes around 3,000 visitors a year between April and October.

Holidaymakers flock to the isolated village to sample the prized home-made chocolate, perfume and shortbread made by its Cistercian monks, who follow a vow of silence.

The 45-year-old man who was arrested on the island had been visiting the monastery’s chocolate factory when he was seen manhandling his “misbehaving” seven-year-old son.

Speaking on the incident, island manager John Cattini, 65, said: "This is the first crime I can recall and I've been here more than 40 years.

"I'm glad to say I didn't witness it but I'm sorry to say I was told about it. It is very sad.

"We are happy to say we live here very peacefully. This person was a visitor and is a sign of the modern world, I expect."

The Caldey monks, believed to have settled on the island 1,500 years ago, observe a rule of silence between 7pm and 7am every day.

They also honour vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Official crime statistics for Caldey Island reveal no records for anti-social behaviour, theft, burglary, arson, drugs, public order, vehicle crime, or robbery and possession of offensive weapons.

There are also no traffic offences, as the island has just 300 yards of roadway.

Speaking at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on the “crime of the century”, prosecutor Dennis Davies said other visitors to the island had told of their shock after witnessing the alleged assault in September.

He said: "The man was said to be shouting at the boy before lifting him up with an outstretched arm by the throat, before putting him down, slapping him on the back of the head and frogmarching him away."

The court heard another visitor yelled, "that's child abuse" at the father.

After police arrived at the scene, the 45-year-old dad told officials his son was “being naughty and wouldn’t listen”, almost falling down a set of stairs.

Davies said: "He told police that in no way did he intend to hurt him, but accepted that he had been unreasonable.

"He explained that his son had ADHD and was on the autistic spectrum."

Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher said: "The boy doesn't like crowds and queuing, and doesn't see danger as others do.

"The father said his son was misbehaving and running up and down the steps, and he was concerned that he would hurt himself or others.