Crime
Milford Haven veterinary manager jailed for £50,000 work fraud

A FORMER veterinary surgery manager who stole £50,000 from her employers has been jailed for three years.
Charlotte Devonald, 44, of Cromwell Road, Milford Haven, abused her position of trust at Animal Doctors veterinary surgery in Clydach, Swansea Valley, by diverting cash takings into her personal bank account and misusing a company fuel card.
Swansea Crown Court heard that Devonald carried out the thefts over a two-year period between November 2020 and November 2022 while earning an annual salary of £35,000. Despite being entrusted with financial responsibilities, including payroll, banking cash takings, and managing supplier payments, she systematically stole from the surgery.

The theft was uncovered after discrepancies in financial records were flagged by the surgery’s accountants. Further investigation revealed that Devonald had made multiple cash deposits into her personal account, ranging from £100 to £1,000, and had fraudulently spent over £5,000 on the company’s fuel card, including buying fuel for friends.
In a police interview, Devonald denied wrongdoing and claimed others had access to the office safe. However, she later pleaded guilty to theft and fraud by abuse of position on the day her trial was due to begin, after one of the business owners returned from Australia to give evidence.
During sentencing, Judge Paul Thomas KC described Devonald’s actions as a “brazen and cynical breach of trust” and criticised her for not telling her daughter about the prosecution and the likelihood of imprisonment, calling it “another example of your cruel selfishness.”
An impact statement from the surgery’s owners detailed how the thefts left the business in debt to suppliers and HMRC, forced valued staff to leave, and caused severe emotional and financial strain.
Defending, Jon Tarrant said Devonald was a “fragile and isolated” woman who struggled to confront the reality of her actions. He added that she expressed remorse and asked for her love to be conveyed to her daughter.
Devonald was sentenced to three years in prison and will serve half her sentence in custody before being released on licence.
PICTURED Bringing justice: Charlotte Devonald was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court for theft and fraud (Pic: Facebook).
Crime
Broad Haven man admits stalking and bail breaches, denies criminal damage

A BROAD HAVEN man has pleaded guilty to stalking and to breaching his bail conditions on two occasions. He has denied a separate charge of criminal damage and is due to be sentenced later this month.
Thomas Jones, aged 34, of Croft Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he was dealt with for multiple offences involving the same female complainant.
Jones admitted stalking Ms Knight between December 5, 2024, and January 22, 2025, in Milford Haven. The court heard that he visited her address several times, sent over 100 calls and messages in a short period in December, and left both a parcel and an envelope containing a spa voucher.
He initially denied the stalking charge, but changed his plea to guilty on March 17. The offence falls under Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
Jones has denied a charge of criminal damage alleged to have occurred on July 21, 2024, when he is accused of damaging a door, radiator, cat litter tray and scratch post belonging to Ms Knight. He pleaded not guilty to this allegation on January 24.
The court also heard that Jones was arrested twice in March for breaches of bail. On March 22, he missed a curfew condition by returning home five hours late. The following day, on March 23, he allegedly contacted Ms Knight directly, in breach of an order prohibiting contact. He admitted both breaches, though those matters were formally recorded as having been dealt with at an earlier hearing.
The magistrates’ bench was chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris. Dennis Davies appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service, and Jones was represented by Fenn Richards.
Jones has been remanded on conditional bail until his next hearing on April 22, 2025, at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions include:
- Not to contact Tessa Knight directly or indirectly, except via an approved device for child contact purposes,
- Not to enter Milford Haven,
- To reside and sleep each night at 38 Croft Road, Broad Haven.
A pre-sentence report is being prepared ahead of the hearing.
Crime
Pembroke Dock man admits assault and criminal damage

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage during a domestic incident last year.
Sam Wilkins, aged 42, of Bethel Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he admitted charges of assault by beating and causing criminal damage.
The offences took place on November 7, 2024, in Pembrokeshire. Wilkins was accused of assaulting a woman and damaging a coat valued at £60.
He also admitted breaching bail conditions on March 18, 2025, after contacting an individual he had been ordered not to communicate with.
The bench, chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris, remanded Wilkins on conditional bail until April 15, 2025, when he is due to return to court for sentencing.
Bail conditions include:
No contact, directly or indirectly, with named individuals involved in the case,
Not to enter a specified address in Kilgetty,
Child contact to be arranged via a third party only,
Full compliance with probation requirements for a pre-sentence report.
Wilkins was represented by Jess Hill, and the prosecution was led by Dennis Davies of CPS Wales (South West).
Crime
Johnston man caught drink driving on same day as court appearance

A JOHNSTON man has been fined and disqualified from driving after admitting to drink driving on the same day he appeared in court.
Stefan Banica, aged 21, of Woodlands View, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol earlier that day.
The court heard that Banica was found to be over the legal alcohol limit while driving a motor vehicle.
The bench, chaired by Mrs C Kendrick and including Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris, imposed a £500 fine, ordered him to pay £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service, and a £50 victim surcharge. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.
Banica was represented by Fenn Richards, with Dennis Davies prosecuting for CPS Wales.
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