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.”