Crime

Haverfordwest shoplifter given final chance by district judge

Published

4 weeks ago

October 23, 2024

A HAVERFORDWEST shoplifter has been given a final court warning by a district judge after once again appearing in the dock charged with stealing a pair of shoes from Sports Direct and groceries from Iceland.

Asa Wandelt was caught removing the food items from the shelves of Iceland on September 20, placing them in a bag and then walking out of the store without paying. The items were valued at £45.75.

Seven days later, he walked into Sports Direct in Haverfordwest, where he stole a pair of shoes valued at £42.

Wandelt, of Harrier Road, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to both charges of theft as well as an additional charge of assaulting Mr. Mathew Gilbert by beating.

The unprovoked assault took place on May 18 outside an unnamed hairdresser’s in Haverfordwest town centre.

“It was a forceful slap in the face that resulted in stinging,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told District Judge Mark Layton sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Probation officer Julie Norman said the assault was committed shortly after Wandelt was released from prison following a previous conviction for shoplifting.

“The defendant is well known by the probation service, but there is little motivation shown by him to address his behaviour,” she said.

However, Wandelt’s solicitor, Tom Lloyd, said the defendant has recently taken ‘significant steps’ to address his behaviour.

“He’s stopped drinking, and he’s more stable than he’s ever been,” said Mr. Lloyd. “The shoplifting was an impulsive act, but considering the progress that’s been made, I’m hopeful that there’s a realistic prospect for him to remain in the community.”

After considering the facts, Judge Layton sentenced Wandelt to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. He was ordered to pay £42 compensation to Sports Direct, £45.75 compensation to Iceland, £100 compensation to Mr. Mathew Gilbert, a £154 court surcharge, and £85 court costs. He must also carry out ten rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Crime

Court hears man exposed his flaccid manhood ‘by accident’

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

Court Reporter

A 21-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with intentionally exposing his genitals in a public place.

Thomas Jones is accused of carrying out the act at a property in New Moat, Clarbeston Road, on November 9, 2022.

“The defendant knocked on the door of a female and offered his gardening services,” Crown prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“She accepted his offer and moved her car so that he could move his van, but when she turned around, she could see his flaccid penis was outside his trousers. When she pointed this out to him, he said he didn’t know that it was exposed.”

Jones denies the charge. He was released on unconditional bail to await his trial at Haverfordwest magistrates court on January 6.

Crime

Regular cocaine user from Milford Haven taken off the road

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

Sarah Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN resident who admits to being a regular cocaine user has lost his driving licence after being found behind the wheel when he was 15 times over the legal Benzoylecgonine limit.

Teifion Morse, 41, was stopped by officers just before midnight on May 1 following reports that he was driving his Vauxhall Insignia along the A477 at excessive speeds.

“The vehicle was travelling westwards towards Kilgetty, and Teifion Morse was the driver and the sole occupant, “ Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

A roadside drugs wipe proved positive while further blood tests carried out at the police custody suite showed that Morse had 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system (the legal limit is 50), and 20 mcg of cocaine. The legal limit is 10.

Ms James said that when Morse was spoken to by officers, he told them that he knew the readings would be positive. “I’ve done stupid amounts today,” he said.

Morse, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug driving. A probation report stated that since leaving the military five and a half years ago, Morse has suffered from mental health issues.

He’s been using cocaine as a coping mechanism,” said the probation officer. “He freely admits that he uses cocaine to help him cope, but it’s spiralled and is getting more and more out of control. He would like support to kick this habit.”

Morse chose to be legally unrepresented when he appeared before magistrates.

“It was my stupid fault and I’m trying to take the correct steps to get on the right path,” he said in mitigation.

Morse was sentenced to an 18-month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months and must pay a £140 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Motorist manned from driving after being caught over limit

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been ordered off the roads after driving through Pembroke town centre when he was over the drink-drive limit.

Just before 1am on October 31, police officers stopped a Vauxhall Zafira that was being driven along South Road by Cameron Sell, 23, who was exceeding the speed limit.

“He was acting erratically when he was speaking to the officer,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverofrdwest magistrates this week.

A roadside breath test proved positive and subsequent breath tests carried out at the police station showed Sell had 42 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

After considering the facts, magistrates fined Sell £300 and ordered him to pay a £120 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.