Crime

Milford Haven man who attacked girlfriend back in court again

Published

2 years ago

August 27, 2024

A Milford Haven man who assaulted his girlfriend during a video call to her sister found himself back in court this week after failing to comply with the terms of his suspended sentence.

Zachariah Roberts-Thomas, 23, of Marble Hall Road, was originally handed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, in February, following a violent incident in late December. As part of his sentence, Roberts-Thomas was also required to complete the Building Better Relationships programme, 150 hours of unpaid work, and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

However, Roberts-Thomas appeared before Swansea Crown Court again after being accused of breaching his suspended sentence by missing appointments on May 19 and July 7. The court heard that he admitted to missing these appointments, explaining that he was still on a waiting list for the Building Better Relationships programme.

Presiding over the case, Judge Huw Rees warned Roberts-Thomas of the serious consequences of his non-compliance. “You could go to prison for being in breach,” Judge Rees cautioned. “It’s no joke. If you fail to get back on this order, you could go to prison.”

The case was adjourned until September 20, with Judge Rees ordering Roberts-Thomas to complete 30 additional hours of unpaid work and four more rehabilitation activity requirement days before that date. The judge assured the defendant that he would avoid a custodial sentence if he fulfilled these requirements.

The court was previously informed that the assault took place on December 29, when Roberts-Thomas attacked his long-term partner. The victim, visibly distressed, had called her sister at around 7 pm that evening. During the call, Roberts-Thomas could be heard shouting in the background before approaching the victim and punching her in the ribs, hurling a series of vile insults, according to prosecutor Brian Simpson.

When the police arrived at the scene, Roberts-Thomas had already fled, and the victim initially denied that any violence had occurred. However, further messages received by the victim’s sister revealed the defendant’s continued aggression, leading to another police response. Officers found Roberts-Thomas outside the property, heavily intoxicated and shouting that he “just wanted [her] back.”

Defence counsel Dan Griffiths acknowledged his client’s immaturity, stating, “He would be the first to acknowledge he has a lot of growing up to do.”

During the initial sentencing, Recorder Simon Hughes emphasised the need for Roberts-Thomas to receive support, noting, “It’s clear to me you require some assistance. Were you sentenced to an immediate custodial sentence today, you would be released without access to that assistance.”

The outcome of Roberts-Thomas’s compliance with the court’s orders will be determined in September. The community remains vigilant as the justice system addresses this troubling case.

Crime

Train disruption after youths seen playing on tracks at Haverfordwest station

Published

5 hours ago

April 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police attend after dangerous incident involving football on railway line

TRAINS were delayed at Haverfordwest railway station on Tuesday (Apr 1) after a group of youths were seen playing with a football near live tracks, prompting a police response.

Footage captured by a bystander shows several young people on the platform throwing and kicking a ball across the station. In one clip, a youth is seen kicking a football from Platform 2 towards Platform 1, but the ball overshoots and lands beyond a fence into the station car park.

More concerning footage shows the ball rolling onto the railway line, with one youth climbing down onto the tracks to retrieve it—an act that poses serious risk of injury or death due to live rails and the potential for oncoming trains.

The incident caused disruption to services, with two trains delayed by 25 minutes while the situation was dealt with.

Police attended the scene, although it is not yet clear whether any arrests were made. Officers have been approached for comment.

Railway safety rules strictly prohibit access to the tracks except by authorised personnel, and incidents such as this are treated seriously due to the potentially fatal consequences.

The Herald understands that such behaviour can also lead to significant disruption across the rail network, affecting passengers and services well beyond the immediate area.

Anyone with further information about the incident is urged to contact police.

Crime

Driver given interim ban after A478 crash

Published

1 day ago

March 31, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Motorist fled scene after colliding with fence and hedge near Clunderwen

A LLANDISSILIO motorist has been handed an interim driving disqualification after failing to stop following a collision on the A478.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Dean Duffy, 31, collided with a fence and hedge while driving his Ford Puma at Clunderwen on Tuesday (Mar 4). His failure to stop and report the incident led to his court appearance.

Duffy, of Maesybryn, Llandissilio, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road traffic collision, failing to report the accident, driving without third party insurance and driving while disqualified.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court: “A vehicle collided with a fence and hedge and the bumper came off. The vehicle was abandoned, but correspondence on the seat identified the defendant as possibly being the person responsible.”

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until Tuesday (Apr 28) to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report by the probation service.

Duffy was disqualified from driving on an interim basis pending sentence.

Crime

Dock motorist avoids jail after drug-drive crash

Published

1 day ago

March 31, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after taking his mother’s car without permission and crashing into a wall, causing damage to a parked BMW.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that on September 27, 2025, Tony Brundrett, 21, took his mother’s Vauxhall Astra from her home and drove off without her consent.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that Brundrett lost control of the vehicle and collided with a wall.

“The wall collapsed as a result of the impact, causing damage to a parked BMW,” she said.

The owner of the BMW said the vehicle suffered bodywork damage and scratching following the incident.

When arrested, Brundrett was found to have 253 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a cocaine metabolite – in his system, more than five times the legal limit of 50.

The court heard that although Brundrett’s mother confirmed the car was hers, she did not wish to criminalise her son.

Brundrett, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, criminal damage, and drug-driving.

Defending, Alaw Harries said: “He accepts his behaviour was foolish and irresponsible and wishes to apologise to the court for what took place.

“At the time of the offence, he was experiencing significant personal difficulties. This was the first and last time he has taken drugs, and he was not thinking clearly. While that is not an excuse, it provides context. He is now in a much better place.”

Magistrates sentenced Brundrett to 18 weeks’ custody, suspended for 24 months. He was disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay £100 compensation, a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.