Crime

Milford Haven publican remanded in custody over cocaine supply allegation

Published

1 month ago

January 6, 2026

A MILFORD HAVEN publican has been remanded in custody after denying being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

Daniel Booth appeared before District Judge Mark Layton, sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he denied the allegation following his arrest on Saturday (Jan 4).

The Crown alleges that a “substantial quantity of cocaine” — weighing 27 grams — was discovered concealed inside the air filter of a van that had recently been sold by Booth to an unrelated third party.

Prosecutors also told the court that £1,682 in cash was found in Booth’s possession at the time of his arrest. A subsequent search of his home uncovered small traces of cocaine and cannabis.

“There are also multiple sources of mobile phone evidence from various drug investigations that clearly point towards the defendant as being directly involved in drug dealing since 2024,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told the court.

Ms James added that Booth refused to provide police with the PIN code for his mobile phone following his arrest.

“He told officers that it was his business phone and that he did not want police accessing his business activities,” she said.

Booth, of Priory Road, Milford Haven, denies being concerned in the supply of cocaine and a further charge of acquiring criminal property.

He was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who argued that his client should be released on bail.

“The drugs were found in a vehicle he had owned for only a very short period of time,” Mr Lloyd said. “He sold the vehicle on and informed police that forensic enquiries would not link him to it.

“He has provided a full explanation regarding both the vehicle and the cash found in his possession.”

Mr Lloyd also told the court that Booth had recently taken on a lease for a public house in Milford Haven.

“The consequences of being remanded in custody will place that business in jeopardy,” he said.

Despite the application, District Judge Layton ordered that Booth be remanded in custody. He is due to appear next at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday, February 6.

Booth is the licensee of The Vibe, Charles Street, Milford Haven.

Crime

Man who threw corrosive liquid at guest and fled abroad jailed

Published

12 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A BUSINESSMAN who threw a corrosive liquid into a guest’s face during a row at a spiritual retreat before fleeing the country has been jailed for 18 months.

Dean Mayze, aged 38, from Abercrave in Powys, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm following the attack at his Hafan-y-Coed retreat in December 2022.

Swansea Crown Court heard the assault happened after an argument with guest Keifer Price, who had complained about the condition of his accommodation, including a lack of heating and washing facilities.

During the confrontation, Mayze produced a blue container and threw its contents upwards into the victim’s face.

The liquid — described as smelling like ammonia — entered Mr Price’s eyes, nose and mouth, leaving him in severe pain and struggling to breathe.

Medical evidence confirmed injuries consistent with a chemical burn to both eyes. He suffered abrasions, a corneal defect and the loss of the outer corneal layer in one eye, requiring significant treatment to prevent permanent sight loss. He has since recovered without lasting injury.

Fled across Europe

Following the attack, Mayze fled the UK, triggering an international search.

The court heard he travelled across several European countries, including Ireland, France, Italy, Croatia and Greece, before eventually being arrested in Romania in 2025.

Despite being on the run, he remained in regular contact with police by text and email, at one point telling officers he would not be returning to Wales.

His partner initially claimed responsibility for the assault and later received a suspended prison sentence after admitting perverting the course of justice.

Previous conviction

The court was told Mayze has a previous conviction for wounding involving a corrosive substance in Kent in 2013.

Defence barrister Andrew Taylor said his client had experienced harsh conditions while detained in Romania, including contracting scabies without treatment, and described him as remorseful.

However, Judge Geraint Walters said it was “pure luck” the victim had not suffered permanent injuries, describing the attack as a “particularly wicked way of inflicting violence”.

Sentence and order

Mayze, who appeared via video link from prison, had previously denied a more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and made subject to a three-year restraining order.

Crime

Police appeal after man injured in St Davids incident

Published

17 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for witnesses following an incident in St Davids which left one man injured.

The incident happened in Nun Street at around 11:10am on Tuesday, December 30. The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment.

Officers confirmed that a man has been arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident.

Police are now asking anyone with information, dash cam footage, or CCTV that could assist the investigation to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online at:
https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/

Alternatively, email [email protected], send a direct message via social media, or call 101 quoting reference DP20251230094.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Sexual assault allegation to be tried

Published

18 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Accused granted conditional bail

A SEXUAL assault allegation has been listed for trial following a hearing before magistrates.

David Fletcher, 45, of Chestnut Way, Mount Estate, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, appeared before magistrates in Llanelli on Thursday (Feb 12) charged with sexual assault, contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The charge alleges that on March 16, 2025, at Johnston, Pembrokeshire, he intentionally touched a woman aged 16 or over and that the touching was sexual when she did not consent and he did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

The matter was adjourned for trial and Fletcher was remanded on conditional bail.

The trial is listed for March 9, 2026 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions prohibit him from entering a specified premises in Johnston, from contacting directly or indirectly the complainant or any prosecution witnesses, and from posting any information relating to the investigation on social media. The conditions were imposed to prevent further offending and to prevent interference with witnesses or obstruction of justice.