Crime
Judge orders Carmarthen man to face retrial in sexual assault case
SWANSEA CROWN COURT has ordered a retrial for Andrew Chapman, age 29, from Peniel, Carmarthen who is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in Carmarthenshire. The incident allegedly took place on September 21, with Chapman facing charges of reaching out from his vehicle to touch the teenager’s jacket around her chest area, after soliciting a kiss.
Chapman has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The decision for a retrial came after Judge Catherine Richards was compelled to discharge the original jury following approximately six hours of deliberation.
The jury struggled to reach a consensus, finding it unlikely to achieve a verdict agreed upon by at least ten members, even with additional time.
Chapman has since been remanded back into custody, pending the retrial. This development followed the Crown Prosecution Service’s consideration, leading to the confirmation of a retrial scheduled to commence on July 8, as announced in Swansea Crown Court on March 28.
Crime
Police appeal after attempted child abduction in Haverfordwest
DYFED-POWYS POLICE has launched an appeal for witnesses following a reported attempted abduction of a 12-year-old girl in Haverfordwest.
The incident is understood to have happened at around 3:55pm on Tuesday (March 24) on Scarrowscant Lane, near Furzy Park.
According to police, the child was approached by two men in a vehicle described as similar to a shiny blue Audi A4. The passenger got out, spoke to the girl and briefly grabbed her arm before releasing her and returning to the car.
The vehicle then drove off towards Furzy Park.
The girl was not injured and made her way home, where her parents alerted police.
The man who approached her is described as white, about 5ft 11in tall, with short dark brown hair and a brown beard. He is believed to be in his forties and was wearing a black T-shirt, black jogging bottoms and white trainers.
The driver remained in the vehicle and has not yet been described.
Officers have been carrying out enquiries since the incident was reported and are now urging anyone who may have seen what happened, or who may have dashcam footage from the area at the time, to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting reference 26*235970.
Crime
Gunshot fired by police during incident in Milford Haven
A POLICE officer discharged a firearm during an incident in Milford Haven on Saturday evening (March 28), prompting an investigation and referral to the police watchdog.
Dyfed-Powys Police were called to reports of disorder at Bunkers Hill at around 5:45pm, where an individual was believed to be in possession of a knife. Armed officers were deployed to the scene.
During the incident, at 6:32pm, a single shot was fired by an officer. Police have confirmed that the firearm was not directed at any person and that no injuries were reported.

The circumstances leading up to the discharge of the firearm have not yet been confirmed.
When Herald reporters attended Bunkers Hill after 2:00pm on Sunday (March 29), a significant police presence remained in the area. Several police vehicles were at the scene, with officers seen going in and out and carrying out checks around the rear of a large block of flats as enquiries continued.
The force has voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which will determine whether the matter should be investigated independently or referred back to the force.
Deputy Chief Constable Gary Phillips said: “We have initiated a prompt investigation into the circumstances that led to the firearms being discharged, and have referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
“We will work with them as we continue to establish the circumstances leading up to the discharge.”
A police presence remains at Bunkers Hill as enquiries continue.
Crime
Theft case over Tresaith beach items discontinued in court
A THEFT case relating to items taken from a Pembrokeshire beach has been discontinued at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.
Gryffydd Morgan, aged 52, of Bro Arth, near Cilgerran, Pembrokeshire, had been due to stand trial in connection with alleged thefts at Tresaith Beach.
Morgan had denied two charges of theft, contrary to the Theft Act 1968.
The court previously heard that the allegations related to incidents on July 18, 2025, when it was claimed that a tent and a deck chair belonging to Clare Marshall had been stolen.
A second charge alleged that a tent belonging to Beverly Walker had also been taken on the same date.
Morgan had entered not guilty pleas to both charges at an earlier hearing.
However, when the case returned to court on Friday (Mar 27), the prosecution offered no evidence.
As a result, magistrates formally dismissed both charges.
No further details were given in court as to why the case had been discontinued.
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