Crime

Parents urged to be vigilant as three locals jailed for cannabis ‘sweet’ production

Published

2 years ago

October 27, 2024

POLICE are urging parents to remain vigilant following the sentencing of three individuals involved in a large-scale operation producing cannabis-laced gummies in Haverfordwest. The scheme, which used sweets to disguise cannabis, has raised concerns over the risk such products pose to children and young people.

The operation was discovered after Merlins Bridge sorting office staff intercepted a package with a strong smell of cannabis, addressed to a home on Primrose Hill. Inside, authorities found a container filled with cannabis distillate. This led to a police raid at the address, where John Miles, his daughter Chay Miles, and her teenage boyfriend, Kyle Gadsby, were found with branded packaging, cannabis distillate, and sweets in various stages of production.

***The case was heard at Swansea Crown Court before Judge Huw Rees KC***

In total, 11.51 kilograms of sweets had already been infused with cannabis, with a further 14.11 kilograms prepared for processing. A drugs expert estimated the market value of the haul at between £11,820 and £19,666.

During questioning, Gadsby attempted to downplay the substantial stash of sweets, claiming it was to save on shop visits for children. However, evidence presented in court revealed that the edibles had been marketed on social media, with positive reviews on Instagram and Snapchat describing them as “f***ing banging” with “fast delivery.”

***Edibles: A warning has been given to parents***

John Miles, 51, Chay Miles, 28, and 19-year-old Gadsby all pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cannabis on June 5, 2024. They also admitted to involvement in cannabis supply from August 2023 until the June raid.

In court, Judge Huw Rees KC highlighted the serious nature of their offences, noting that disguising cannabis as sweets posed a particular danger to “the vulnerable, the uninitiated, and the naïve.” He described the operation as a “production line” with the potential to serve as an entry point to drugs for unsuspecting young individuals.

The court also heard that John Miles had only been out of prison for four months prior to the raid, having previously served time for cocaine and cannabis supply offences. His daughter Chay, a single mother of three, reportedly joined the scheme due to financial struggles. Gadsby, who had a troubled background, had been involved in the operation for just a month. He also faced charges from unrelated incidents in Northampton, including drug possession, dangerous driving, and possession of a bladed article.

Judge Rees sentenced John Miles to three years in prison, with both Chay Miles and Kyle Gadsby receiving 27 months each. He remarked that the defendants had exploited social media to market their products to an impressionable audience and stressed that, while some may view cannabis edibles as harmless, this operation represented “a serious commercial enterprise with significant public health implications.”

Following the case, local police reiterated their warning to parents about the potential for drugs to appear in unexpected forms, especially those designed to appeal to children and teens.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

1 day ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

1 day ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.