Crime

Drunk motorist sentenced after near-fatal crash in Milford Haven

Published

2 years ago

October 15, 2024

A MILFORD HAVEN motorist has been sentenced by a district judge after admitting to crashing her car into a telegraph pole while over twice the legal drink-drive limit. The collision, which narrowly avoided a tragedy involving a mother and her baby, occurred on Milton Crescent late at night on September 28.

The driver, 38-year-old Louise Sheil, was found by police shortly after 11:30 am near the scene of the crash. Officers were called to the area following reports that a black Audi A5 had mounted the pavement and struck a telegraph pole, narrowly missing a pram carrying a baby.

When officers arrived, they found Sheil standing near the entrance to Milton Crescent, with the damaged Audi parked nearby. According to Crown Prosecutor Nia James, “She smelt of intoxicants, and the keys of the Audi were on her.” When questioned by police, Sheil admitted, “Yeah, I hit a f****** post over there.”

The mother involved in the incident, Deanna Potter, had been walking with her baby, Danny, when the car veered off the road. The telegraph pole, which absorbed the impact of the crash, is believed to have saved them from being struck directly. Potter recounted the terrifying ordeal, stating that after the collision, the driver appeared indifferent and attempted to leave the scene, but her car was too badly damaged to flee.

Police arrested Sheil at the scene after she failed four attempts to provide a roadside breath test. At the station, she gave a breath test reading of 80 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath—more than double the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

In court, Sheil pleaded guilty to the offence of drink-driving. Her solicitor, Jess Hill, explained that Sheil had been driving a short distance of just two miles to pick up her partner from a party and acknowledged that she was over the limit.

Sheil was disqualified from driving for 20 months and fined £150. Additionally, she was ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £16 victim surcharge.

While Sheil faces the consequences of her actions, it is a relief that no one was seriously injured. Deanna Potter and her baby, although shaken, are reported to be unharmed. The damaged telegraph pole and pram bear witness to what could have been a much more tragic outcome.

Crime

Bomb hoax allegation lands Carmarthenshire man before court

Published

2 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has appeared before magistrates accused of making a bomb hoax and assaulting police officers.

Anthony Mold, 38, of Sandy Road, Llanelli, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Mold is charged with communicating false information by alleging that a bomb or other explosive substance was present at Dafen Police Station.

The allegation relates to an incident on May 6 this year.

The defendant also faces charges of assaulting two police officers, damaging a police vehicle, and breaching a Community Protection Notice.

Court records show the damage charge relates to a Dyfed-Powys Police vehicle.

Mold entered guilty pleas to the offences before the court.

District Judge M Layton remanded him in custody for the preparation of reports ahead of sentencing.

The case was adjourned until Thursday, July 2, when Mold is due to be sentenced at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Crime

Carmarthenshire pensioner, 86, accused of causing prostitution for gain

Published

2 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

AN 86-YEAR-OLD Carmarthenshire pensioner has appeared before magistrates accused of causing or inciting prostitution for gain.

Hywel Charles, of Rhandirfelin, Llanelli, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Charles is charged under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 with intentionally causing or inciting another person to become a prostitute for, or in expectation of, gain for himself.

The allegation relates to an incident said to have taken place at Llanelli on October 9, 2025.

Complainant protected

The complainant in the case is protected by automatic anonymity under the Sexual Offences Amendment Act 1992.

Charles appeared before District Judge M Layton at a ground rules hearing.

He was represented by John Allchurch, of Goldstones Solicitors, while Nia James prosecuted for CPS Wales.

The defendant was remanded on conditional bail.

He must not contact a named person directly or indirectly.

Charles is due to appear again at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 6, for a further case management hearing.

Crime

Children most at risk in Dyfed-Powys TikTok-linked crime cases

Published

2 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOI data reveals forty-two under-18 victims as police record more than 130 incidents mentioning the platform

CHILDREN were the largest group of victims in Dyfed-Powys crimes where TikTok was mentioned, new Freedom of Information figures have revealed.

Data obtained by JF Law shows that Dyfed-Powys Police recorded 131 TikTok-linked violence, stalking and harassment offences between 2023 and 2025.

Of those, forty-two victims were under the age of eighteen.

Pembrokeshire recorded 32 incidents over the three-year period, with eight in 2023, thirteen in 2024 and eleven in 2025.

Across the force area, Carmarthenshire recorded the highest number of incidents, with 51. Powys recorded 29 and Ceredigion recorded thirteen.

Stalking and harassment made up the vast majority of the Dyfed-Powys cases, accounting for 128 of the 131 offences. Three were recorded as violence with injury.

Wales-wide concern

The figures were obtained through Freedom of Information requests covering Welsh police forces.

South Wales Police recorded the highest number, with 2,034 crimes where TikTok or Tik Tok was mentioned in police records between 2023 and 2025.

Those figures rose from 488 in 2023 to 656 in 2024 and 890 in 2025.

Gwent Police recorded 373 incidents, while North Wales Police recorded 199.

The North Wales data included cases of harassment, malicious communications, blackmail, sexual grooming, sexual activity involving a child under sixteen, exposure and voyeurism, and threats to kill.

Police forces stressed that the figures do not mean TikTok caused the crimes. The data relates to cases where the platform was mentioned in the modus operandi field or investigation summary.

‘Digital hunting ground’

Ellie Lamey, a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority specialist at JF Law, said: “The sheer volume of these cases is a stark warning to parents and authorities alike.

“We are seeing everyday platforms being weaponised by predators to target our youngest and most vulnerable, turning what should be a harmless online space into a digital hunting ground.

“The trauma inflicted by cyber-stalking, harassment, and online-facilitated abuse has profound, real-world consequences that can completely shatter a family’s sense of security.”

She added: “It is crucial that victims know there are concrete legal avenues available to fight back.

“Nobody should have to navigate this nightmare in silence, and we are committed to helping survivors secure the protection, justice, and support they need to move forward.”

JF Law provides legal support and advice to those affected by online harassment, abuse and related crimes. Their website is www.jflaw.co.uk.