A PEMBROKE woman who spat at two police officers while under the influence of drugs has been given a suspended prison sentence and a curfew.

Lisa Sture, aged 34, of Main Street, appeared before Swansea Crown Court this week, where she admitted two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

The court heard that officers were called to an incident in Pembroke on February 22, where Sture was allegedly involved in an assault. That matter was not pursued, but during her arrest, she spat at a police constable, hitting his trousers.

Later, in custody, she spat again—this time at a custody sergeant who had gone to check on her welfare after she threatened to harm herself. The second spitting incident resulted in saliva landing on the officer’s chest.

Prosecutor Sian Cutter said Sture has a long history of offending, with 47 previous convictions for 96 offences.

Defending, Dan Griffiths said Sture’s life had been severely affected by addiction to class A drugs since her teenage years, particularly heroin. He acknowledged that her behaviour towards police had become a repeated issue. “Spitting at anyone is a disgusting thing to do,” he said.

Judge Geraint Walters strongly criticised her conduct, telling her: “You are not an animal. You are a human being who doesn’t know how to look after yourself. Police officers shouldn’t have to deal with this kind of behaviour – they are there to protect us. Spitting is a filthy act.”

He described her as frequently appearing in a “zombie-like state” due to drug use, prompting Sture to object from the dock, saying: “I’ve changed. I’m not an animal.”

The judge did not hold back: “I have to speak as I find – you are a thorough nuisance. The state has tried again and again to help you. What have you achieved? Witness intimidation, violence, carrying knives, breaching court orders, shoplifting – and now your favourite offence appears to be assaulting police officers.”

When she attempted to interrupt, the judge told her: “Keep your mouth shut! You have no respect for anything at all.”

Sture was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years. She must complete a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement and will be under a three-month curfew from 7:00pm to 7:00am.

Law criminalising rough sleeping to be repealed by spring

ROUGH sleeping will no longer be treated as a crime, as the UK Government confirms plans to formally repeal the Vagrancy Act 1824.

The 200-year-old law, introduced to tackle homelessness in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars, has been widely criticised by campaigners for treating poverty as a criminal issue.

Although prosecutions under the Act have declined significantly in recent years, it remains enforceable in England and Wales. The Government says it will now be repealed entirely by spring 2026.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “We are drawing a line under nearly two centuries of injustice towards some of the most vulnerable in society, who deserve dignity and support.

“No one should ever be criminalised simply for sleeping rough, and by scrapping this cruel and outdated law, we are making sure that can never happen again.”

The move forms part of a wider government strategy to tackle the root causes of homelessness. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has increased homelessness funding by £233 million this year, bringing the total for 2025–26 to nearly £1 billion.

Minister for Homelessness, Rushanara Ali said: “Today marks a historic shift. Scrapping the Vagrancy Act is another step forward in our mission to tackle homelessness in all its forms.”

The Government says new powers will be introduced to replace elements of the Vagrancy Act which deal with criminal behaviour, not rough sleeping. These include a new offence of facilitating begging for gain – aimed at tackling exploitation by organised crime groups – and an offence of trespassing with intent to commit a crime.

Matt Downie, Chief Executive of homelessness charity Crisis, said: “This is a landmark moment that will change lives. For 200 years the Vagrancy Act has meant that people who are homeless are treated as criminals. Ending its use recognises a shameful history of persecuting people for poverty and destitution.”

Emma Haddad, Chief Executive of St Mungo’s, said: “The repeal of the Vagrancy Act cannot come soon enough. We are supporting thousands of people sleeping rough, all with their own stories – from complex health issues to an unaffordable housing market.”

The Deputy Prime Minister is working with councils, mayors, and frontline organisations on a new national homelessness strategy, due to be published later this year.

Director lied on three loan applications after already receiving funds

A PEMBROKESHIRE businessman who fraudulently claimed £150,000 in Bounce Back Loans during the Covid-19 pandemic has been handed a suspended prison sentence.

ZAHID AFZAL, aged 37, of Albert Street, Haverfordwest, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (June 12) to two years in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work.

Afzal, the director of mobile phone businesses Phone Bits Ltd and Phones Onn Ltd, had already received £52,500 in legitimate Covid loans when he applied for a further three loans—one for Phone Bits and two for Phones Onn—between May and November 2020.

The court heard that Afzal lied on each of the second-round applications, claiming they were the first he had made and exaggerating the turnover of the businesses. Each loan was for £50,000—the maximum permitted under the government-backed Bounce Back Loan Scheme.

The Insolvency Service, which investigated the case, found that the majority of the £150,000 Afzal fraudulently secured was transferred to his personal accounts, in breach of the loan scheme’s conditions.

David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “It is clear from our investigations that Zahid Afzal felt he could continue to apply time and time again for loans he was not entitled to. His sentencing should serve as a reminder to those contemplating fraudulently pocketing taxpayers’ money to think again.”

Afzal’s companies operated phone shops and kiosks in Carmarthen, Shropshire, Andover, and North Devon. The Insolvency Service confirmed that no wrongdoing was found in relation to the original £20,000 and £32,500 loans he obtained for Phones Onn Ltd and Phone Bits Ltd respectively.

The government’s Bounce Back Loan Scheme was introduced to support small and medium-sized businesses during the pandemic, offering loans of up to £50,000 at low interest, guaranteed by the Government. Loans were strictly intended for business use only.

The Insolvency Service has confirmed it is now seeking to recover the £150,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.