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Crime

IPOC investigating after Haverfordwest woman claims unlawful arrest

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A HAVERFORDWEST woman who was acquitted in Swansea Crown Court of charges relating to the assault of a police officer and damage to police equipment now wants to take her own legal action.

She has spoken out after her ordeal at being arrested, thrown into a police van and dragged to court – something which is now being looked into by the IOPC.

Sally Nolan, 51, of Three Meadows, faced accusations of criminal damage and assault by beating of an emergency worker after an incident in Haverfordwest on January 22.

She had called the police asking for help with one of her children but when officers arrived things got heated quickly, and voices were raised.

Nolan was arrested, and it was alleged that Nolan caused £21 worth of damage to a pair of handcuffs before assaulting a police officer.

She denied the charges and was initially set for trial in January at Swansea Crown Court.

However video footage from a police bodycam clearly shows that no assault took place.

Therefore, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was asked to reconsider whether proceeding with the case was in the public interest. During a hearing at Swansea Crown Court on October 22, the prosecution formally offered no evidence on both charges.

This week, Judge Paul Thomas KC entered not guilty verdicts, vacating the trial date and bringing the case to a close.

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald after the verdict had been delivered, Sally Nolan said: “I want the public to know after a call for help because of concerns for the welfare of one of my children, the police arrived at my house. Then it was turned on me, and I ended up being arrested and accused of being a perpetrator of a crime.

“I am innocent and this has been demonstrated in court now that my name has cleared.”

She added: “This case has completely crumbled me, ruined me, and turned my life upside-down.

“I am completely innocent and the police have let me down, and now I no longer trust them. I don’t feel I can ask for help from them again.

“I know they are not all bad but some of them are. I want to move out of Pembrokeshire now and this case has been the last straw.”

The police were asked to comment on this case, and shortly afterwards sent the following statement: “Following an investigation into an incident which occurred in Haverfordwest in January 2024, a charge of assault against a police officer was authorised by the CPS and a trial date was set for the defendant.

“The defendant complained that her arrest was unlawful shortly after. This was investigated by the Dyfed-Powys Police Professional Standards Department (PSD), who determined there was no evidence to substantiate her claims, and that there was a lawful basis for the arrest.

“The defendant was updated of this outcome in July 2024. She has since requested a review by the IOPC, which is ongoing.

“During recent court proceedings, the CPS determined the charges would not be taken any further and the case was closed. It would not be appropriate to comment further while we await the results of the IOPC review.”

Crime

Arrest after fatal Carmarthenshire hit-and-run

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A MAN has been arrested following a fatal hit-and-run collision in Llanpumsaint, Carmarthenshire, on Monday (December 23), which claimed the life of 38-year-old Aaron Jones.

The incident happened near Caer Salem Baptist Chapel between 6:45pm and 7:45pm while Aaron was walking his dog. Police said the vehicle involved, a blue car with noticeable damage, was travelling northbound through the village at the time of the collision.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that the vehicle believed to have been involved has now been located, and a 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop for a collision, and failing to report a collision.

Specially trained officers are supporting Aaron’s family, who have asked for privacy during this difficult time.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We are appealing to anyone who may have seen the vehicle or has dashcam footage from the area during the relevant times to contact us immediately.”

The road remains closed while investigations continue, and residents can expect an increased police presence in the area.

Anyone with dashcam footage, doorbell camera recordings, or CCTV footage from the area is urged to check their recordings and contact Dyfed-Powys Police immediately using the details provided in the comments.

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Crime

Repeat offender jailed for breaching Sexual Harm Prevention Order

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A SERIAL offender who repeatedly defied a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) has been handed a three-year prison sentence following his latest breaches while living in Pembrokeshire.

Adrian John Thomas, 31, of no fixed abode, was originally made subject to a SHPO and notification requirements in 2017 after being convicted of offences involving a 14-year-old girl. Despite the restrictions imposed on him, Thomas has shown a persistent pattern of non-compliance.

The latest sentencing at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Dec 19) addressed four fresh breaches of the SHPO and one count of failing to meet notification requirements.

Following his release from prison in October 2023, Thomas initially registered at an approved address in Swansea. By January, he had moved to Pembrokeshire and declared himself as having no fixed address to the police.

However, it later emerged that he had moved in with his mother, who resides in sheltered housing, without notifying authorities of his change in circumstances—a direct violation of his notification requirements.

While living with his mother, Thomas took control of her iPhone, setting up a PIN and facial recognition lock without her consent. He then used the device to create multiple social media accounts, including Instagram, Gmail, and Facebook profiles, all in clear breach of his SHPO terms.

The court heard how Thomas’s actions left his mother feeling distressed and powerless in her own home.

Prosecutors revealed Thomas’s extensive criminal history, including eight previous convictions spanning 15 offences. Between February 2019 and October 2022 alone, he breached the SHPO 11 times and once failed to comply with notification requirements, resulting in multiple prison sentences.

In mitigation, the defence argued that Thomas had shown remorse and was struggling with his mental health. They claimed he had no viable housing options other than moving in with his mother or living in a tent.

Judge Paul Thomas KC delivered a stark assessment of the defendant’s repeated disregard for court orders.

“Your track record shows a persistent determination to flout the Sexual Harm Prevention Order placed on you after a serious child sexual offence conviction,” the judge said.

“You have breached this order and notification requirements time and time again. You misled the police about your living arrangements, manipulated your mother’s phone despite her pleas, and did so while on licence from a previous sentence.”

The judge concluded: “You seem entirely undeterred by the consequences of your actions.”

Thomas was sentenced to three years in prison, with a review of the SHPO’s duration scheduled for January.

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Crime

Police hunt driver after dog walker killed in Carmarthenshire hit-and-run

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A PEDESTRIAN walking his dog has died after being struck in a hit-and-run collision on a Carmarthenshire road on Monday (December 23).

The incident occurred in Llanpumsaint, near Caer Salem Baptist Chapel, between 6:45pm and 7:45pm.

The road remains closed, and police are urgently appealing for information to locate the driver of a blue vehicle believed to have fled the scene.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We are actively searching for the driver of a blue vehicle with noticeable damage, which was involved in a fatal hit-and-run collision in Llanpumsaint, Carmarthenshire. The driver left the scene, and locating them is now our top priority.

“We are appealing directly to the driver to do the right thing and come forward. Additionally, we urge anyone who may have seen the vehicle or has dashcam footage from the area during the relevant times to contact us immediately.

“This collision, which tragically resulted in the death of a pedestrian, happened near Caer Salem Baptist Chapel between 6:45pm and 7:45pm on Monday, December 23, as the man was walking his dog.

“Our investigation indicates the vehicle was travelling northbound through Llanpumsaint at the time of the incident.”

The road is expected to remain closed for some time while enquiries continue. Police stress that any piece of information, no matter how small, could be crucial in identifying and locating the driver. Anyone with information is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police immediately using the details provided in the comments.

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