Court hears defendant was found under the influence in town centre late at night

A 40-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire woman has been sentenced after admitting assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting and abandoning a child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that at around 11:00pm on July 28, 2025, police officers on duty in Haverfordwest town centre saw the defendant attempting to make her way along the road.

“She was clearly under the influence of drink and drugs,” Ms Vaughan said.

Officers escorted the woman back to her property, where she struggled to find her keys.

“At this point, she stated there was a child, aged between eleven and twelve, inside the property who had been there for around two hours, between 9:00pm and 11:00pm,” said Ms Vaughan.

The defendant pleaded guilty to assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting and abandoning the child.

She was represented by solicitor Jess Hill, who told the court the woman had begun using alcohol as a coping mechanism to deal with childhood trauma.

“But since then she has significantly reduced her alcohol intake and now wants to engage with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service to help her further,” said Ms Hill.

After considering a detailed probation report, magistrates fined the defendant £80 and ordered her to pay a £32 surcharge.

No prosecution costs were awarded due to the length of time it had taken for the case to be brought before the court.

Court hears shop theft was a ‘split-second decision’ while family finances were under pressure

A HAVERFORDWEST man who stole more than £90 worth of groceries from Iceland has been sentenced after a court heard he was struggling to support his family during the cost-of-living crisis.

Michael Tomlin, 41, of Coronation Avenue, Haverfordwest, entered the town’s Iceland store on March 21 and removed a number of items from the shelves before leaving without paying.

Staff witnessed the incident and CCTV footage later showed Tomlin exiting the store without making any attempt to pay for the goods. The total value of the stolen items was £93.62.

Tomlin appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to theft.

Representing him in court, solicitor Alaw Harries said Tomlin and his wife had been experiencing significant financial difficulties while trying to provide for their two young children.

“At the time, he and his wife were struggling financially while trying to support their two young children,” she said.

“But the weekly food shop has become more difficult. When he entered the store, he fully intended to pay for the items, but it was a foolish, split-second decision that he made to steal.”

The court heard that Tomlin made a full admission when interviewed by police.

Magistrates fined him £80 and ordered him to pay £93.62 compensation to Iceland. He was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

A 35-YEAR-OLD man stole almost £800 worth of goods from Tesco Extra in Haverfordwest to fund his alcohol and gambling addictions, a court has heard.

Five thefts from same store

Luke Brunton, 35, visited the store on five separate occasions between February and May 2025, taking items including pillows, duvets, Lego sets, Pokémon cards, alcohol, crisps and a saucepan set.

The first theft took place on February 27, when Brunton stole four packs of pillows, a double duvet, a cool pillow, a cuddle cushion, a Batman Lego set and a BMW Lego set, worth £167.50.

On March 1 he returned and stole Pokémon cards valued at £144. Three days later, he stole Baileys, vodka, Jack Daniel’s, three pillows, crisps and a saucepan set, worth £192.69.

The final offence took place on May 21, when Brunton again stole alcohol, pillows and toilet roll. The value of those items was not given to the court.

Addictions reduced

Brunton, of St Lawrence Close, Hakin, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week, where he pleaded guilty to five charges of theft.

The court was told the offences also breached a conditional discharge imposed by Kent Court for previous theft matters.

His solicitor, Michael Kelleher, said: “At the time, he was drinking to excess and was also gambling to excess.

“The shoplifts funded those habits, both of which were addictions.”

Mr Kelleher said Brunton’s drinking and gambling had significantly reduced since the offending.

Brunton was sentenced to a 24-month community order. He must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 66 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay £761.79 compensation to Tesco, a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.