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Crime

Haverfordwest woman sentenced for four-year campaign of abusive messages

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A HAVERFORDWEST woman has been sentenced after sending a series of vile and threatening messages to her half-sister over a four-year period.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Kerry Steadman, 37, of Market Street, repeatedly sent obscene and abusive texts and social media messages to her sibling, including threats such as “Your tits are going to get chopped off,” “You dirty nonce,” and “You in-bred c**.”*

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court: “There have been various attempts by the victim to block communication with the defendant, but she sets up different accounts that enable her to continue her behaviour. This has been going on since 2022, and the defendant has even made attempts to contact other family members in an effort to locate her sister.”

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Steadman’s half-sister said the harassment had taken a serious emotional toll.

“It’s causing distress to myself and my family, and is also making me fear for the safety of my young children,” she said.

Steadman pleaded guilty to sending obscene and abusive messages and to failing to surrender to court bail after failing to appear at a previous hearing on September 16.

Defence solicitor Andrew Isaac said his client’s actions stemmed from “a significant history” within the family.

“She moved to Pembrokeshire because of her family, and there are currently considerable investigations ongoing concerning the family background,” he told the court. “Since she’s been living here, she’s improved massively and is enjoying a completely different type of life to what she was used to in Merseyside. This is a young lady who means well.”

After considering a 15-page pre-sentence report from the probation service, magistrates imposed an 18-month community order including 15 rehabilitation activity days. Steadman was also fined £120, ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £114 court surcharge.

A restraining order was made, banning her from contacting her half-sister directly or indirectly for the next 18 months.

Crime

Dealer hid in shower with drugs concealed in anus during Neyland raid

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Young Cardiff man jailed after police uncover cocaine, crack and cannabis supply operation across two counties

A DRUG dealer who tried to hide from police in a shower — with cannabis concealed in his anus — has been jailed after a series of raids in Neyland and Cardiff.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at a property in Neyland on March 27, where they found cash and cannabis inside the address. Prosecutor Nik Strobl said officers arrested the occupants and discovered Miguel Ada, 22, hiding in the shower. He initially gave a false name.

Ada was taken to hospital because officers suspected he was carrying drugs internally. He later admitted he had hidden cannabis in his anus, which was removed the following day. His phone contained messages offering cannabis for sale and encouraging others to deal for him, promising they could earn “serious money”.

At the time, Ada was already on bail for earlier drug matters. On January 26, officers attended a Cardiff hostel for vulnerable over-55s and saw him leaving a room in suspicious circumstances. He was arrested and found with 2.6g of cannabis, eleven wraps of cocaine in his bag worth around £200, and a further twenty-one wraps of cocaine — valued at £550 — hidden behind his scrotum.

Police arrested him again on June 15 at his partner’s home in Fairwater, Cardiff, after tracing a drugs line number written on a Rizla paper. During that search, officers recovered eight wraps of crack cocaine, cash, a Nokia phone and small amounts of cannabis. Analysis of the phone revealed a large number of bulk messages advertising crack cocaine for sale.

Ada, of Claude Road, Cardiff, admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine and crack cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, offering to supply crack cocaine, and possession of cannabis.

Defending, Sol Hartley said Ada had no previous drug convictions and had come under “pressure” from gang members he met while remanded in custody. He said Ada had been effectively homeless since being told to leave home at 17 and had “no stability” in his life.

Recorder Andrew Hammond sentenced Ada to three years and nine months in prison.

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Climate

Milford Haven’s unique seabed habitat revealed in major new study

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A NEW scientific study has revealed the distinct and ecologically significant nature of Milford Haven’s maerl beds, shedding fresh light on how one of Wales’ most fragile underwater habitats can be protected for the future.

Maerl beds are slow-growing, coral-like accumulations of red algae that form intricate structures on the seabed. These habitats support a wide range of marine species and act as important stores of blue carbon, helping absorb and lock away carbon dioxide.

The research, led by the University of Exeter with contributions from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), used Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) to analyse maerl samples from Pembrokeshire to Cornwall. The data allowed scientists to assess genetic diversity across the region and identify the populations most at risk from environmental pressures and human activity.

Crucially, the study found that Milford Haven’s maerl bed is genetically distinct from other sites, underlining its uniqueness and highlighting the need for site-specific protection.

Dr Frances Ratcliffe, Senior Marine Environmental Assessment Officer for NRW, said:
“This research highlights the unique nature of the maerl bed in Milford Haven, showing it to be both highly genetically diverse and distinct from other populations in the wider region.
“We’re delighted to have contributed to this work, which makes the case for protecting this special habitat even stronger. Sadly, the bed is currently in a degraded state, and we hope the findings will help inform future efforts to safeguard these vital ecosystems for generations to come.”

Dr Tom Jenkins, the project lead, added: “This is the first research project to assemble reference genomes for two maerl-forming species and use Whole Genome Sequencing to study populations around the southern and south-west coasts of Britain.
“It reveals levels of genetic diversity and identifies populations dominated by maerl clones, which together could have implications for their vulnerability and resilience to future changes in climate and the environment.”

NRW is also leading a wider project examining declines in benthic habitats — ecosystems found on or near the seabed — to strengthen Wales’ understanding of underwater biodiversity. This includes research into herring in Milford Haven, sponge communities in the Menai Strait, and modiolus horse mussel reefs off the north Llŷn Peninsula. The work is funded through the Welsh Government’s Nature Networks programme.

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Crime

Milford Haven man to appear in court on seven child sex charges

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The alleged victim is a girl, age 13

A 45-YEAR-OLD man originally from Lower Priory, Milford Haven will appear in court on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, charged with a series of child sexual offences alleged to have taken place in Cornwall.

James Kershaw, now living in Pounda, Quethiock, Cornwall, faces seven charges linked to incidents said to have occurred in Liskeard, Cornwall between 26 October and 1 November 2023.

The complainant has automatic anonymity under the Sexual Offences Amendment Act 1992.

Sexual communication with a child

Kershaw is accused of intentionally engaging in sexual communication with a child under 16 for sexual gratification.

This offence, under Section 15A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, carries a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment if tried in the Crown Court.

Causing a child to watch sexual activity

Two charges allege that on 28 October and 29 October 2023, he caused a child aged 13 to watch him engaging in sexual activity.

These offences fall under Section 12 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment on indictment.

Causing or inciting sexual activity

Kershaw also faces two counts of causing or inciting a girl aged 13 engage in non-penetrative sexual activity.

These offences are under Section 10 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment.

Breach of Sexual Harm Prevention Order

He is additionally charged with two breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) imposed by Derby Crown Court on 31 May 2022.

Prosecutors allege that between 26 October and 1 November 2023, Kershaw:

  • Used an undeclared social media account;
  • Deleted online messages despite being prohibited from doing so.

Breaches of a SHPO carry a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.

Court appearance

Kershaw is due to appear in court at 2:00pm on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, where the case is expected to be sent to the Crown Court due to the seriousness of the charges.

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