News

Prosecution case was ‘absurd’

Published

11 years ago

December 1, 2014

THE CASE of a Neyland man could not be proved beyond any reasonable doubt at court on Monday (Nov 3). Richard Davies, aged 69, of John Street, was accused of burglary other than a dwelling and theft from the person of another. He pleaded not guilty on August 8 and has maintained his innocence ever since. The second charge of theft was dropped by the Magistrates as they found he would have no case to answer. The matter dates back to 2012 when Richard’s neighbour, Stephen Thomas, went away for a couple of weeks.

Mr Thomas had his shed broken into during those weeks and a number of things were taken from it. Richard Davies was alleged to have stolen a clamp and a Stanley knife from the shed. CCTV from Mr Thomas’ home showed Davies climbing over his fence and walking up to his shed. The footage shows that Davies was in the shed for almost fifteen minutes and he says he was securing the door so nobody else could get in. After he comes out of the shed he has a clamp in his hand and then picks up a Stanley knife which was on the ground.

Davies added that the clamp was found outside of the garage and said he had no need for it. He then takes the items back to his own shed and places them there for safe keeping. Mr Thomas returned and reported to the police that a number of items were missing and he submitted CCTV footage to them. Asked in court why he did not call the police when he found out the shed had been broken into, Davies said: “That was the biggest mistake I made, I wish I had.” The police came round on February 2 2013, to speak to Mr Davies and he handed over the items that he had taken from the shed. Mr Thomas said that he had seen Davies and his wife in the weeks after the theft but Davies said that they had not seen each other.

Defending Patrick Llewlyn said: “The defence case is very strong, there is nothing that undermines Mr Davies’ account. He gave his account before seeing the CCTV and it fits. He is of good character and he is less likely not to tell the truth, he is a man of impeccable clean character. The prosecution case is quite absurd, in full view of a CCTV camera to steal two quite random items to the value of £30 when there are more items available – the prosecution case does not make sense. In hindsight, we all regret things, this was merely a mistake, it was a garage, less serious than normal and the house had been all but abandoned.

The charges don’t make sense; he accepts he picked up the Stanley knife. The property is infrequently attended, Thomas had moved out of the property and he did not see them until after the police officer had attended his house. Considering all that the court cannot be sure that meets the threshold of burglary.” The Magistrates agreed with the defence and agreed to dismiss the case.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

10 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of serious allegations following his appearance in the latest magistrates’ court register.

David Guy, 49, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared in court facing multiple charges, all of which have now been deemed too serious for summary trial.

Multiple charges listed in register

The new magistrates’ register shows Guy charged with several offences arising from the same case file. Although individual charge descriptions were not expanded in open court, the register confirms the allegations include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second assault charge
Criminal damage
A further interpersonal violence allegation
A public order offence

All entries relate to the same incident and prosecution reference, presented as a multi-count case.

Defendant remanded into custody

Magistrates ruled that their sentencing powers were insufficient and sent the entire case to Swansea Crown Court for trial.

Guy was remanded in custody, with the register stating: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A hearing date will now be fixed administratively by the Crown Court. Until then, Guy remains remanded.

The Herald will provide updates once the Crown Court listing is confirmed.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

16 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string of alleged offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, 40, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, faces six linked charges arising from incidents reported to have taken place earlier this year. Alcock, who did not enter pleas during the administrative hearings, appeared on several occasions as the court dealt with bail issues and case management.

Multiple assault allegations
The charges listed before magistrates include:
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional strangulation
Common assault of a woman
Criminal damage relating to a domestic incident
Further assault allegations linked to the same complainant
A breach of bail conditions

The court heard that Alcock had previously been granted conditional bail. However, he was brought back before magistrates twice during the same reporting period for alleged breaches of those conditions, resulting in updated bail decisions.

Bail breached — defendant remanded

On two separate entries in the court register, Alcock was listed as having breached his bail, leading magistrates to remand him into custody pending the next hearing. On other dates within the same week, he was again re-released on conditional bail, with strict terms imposed, including restrictions on contact with the complainant and exclusions from certain locations.

He is now remanded on conditional bail with his next appearance set for Swansea Crown Court, where the more serious matters — including the alleged non-fatal strangulation — will be dealt with.

Case sent to Crown Court

Magistrates directed that the case is too serious to be heard locally and must proceed to the Crown Court for trial or sentence.

The Herald understands that all listed charges fall under the same prosecution reference, indicating they form part of a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution. No further details were opened in court at this stage.

Crime

Rogue roofer conned homeowner out of thousands

Published

32 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Caerphilly investigation leads to court conviction

A ROGUE trader from Pembroke has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after duping a homeowner into handing over thousands for unnecessary roofing work.

Douggie Whitbread, aged twenty-five and living at Coldwell Terrace, Pembroke, persuaded his victim that he “probably needed a new roof” before charging £4,350 for work that was either unnecessary or not carried out properly.

Whitbread admitted two counts of fraud relating to a property on Griffiths Street, Ystrad Mynach, with the offences taking place between August 12 and October 16, 2023.

He appeared before Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court, where he was ordered to pay a total of £6,130. That includes £4,350 in compensation, £1,500 in prosecution costs, a £200 fine, and an £80 victim surcharge.

The case was brought following an investigation by Caerphilly Trading Standards, who urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited offers of home maintenance work.