Crime

Drug dealers caught trafficking cocaine worth £2,000 to Steynton addict

Published

1 year ago

January 20, 2025

A COURT has heard how two drug dealers were caught trafficking cocaine with a street value of up to £2,000 to an addict in Steynton.

On the morning of July 31, 2024, officers stopped a silver Mercedes on the A477 westbound as it travelled from Swansea into Pembrokeshire. The vehicle was driven by Leslie Thomas, 65, with dealer Adam Idris, 42, in the passenger seat.

A search of the car uncovered 13.6 grams of cocaine, with a purity of 74%, wrapped in small plastic bags. The drugs, hidden in a compartment under the driver’s seat, had an estimated street value of £1,360 to £1,700 in the Dyfed-Powys Police division area.

Officers also discovered a handwritten note containing the address of Jessie Thompson, a 30-year-old addict, who was expecting the delivery at her home in Plas Peregrine, Steynton. When police visited the property, Thompson was described as “noncompliant and intoxicated through drugs.”

Surveillance and phone evidence

Further investigations revealed that Thomas’ silver Mercedes had made two return trips between Swansea and Milford Haven on July 2 and July 24. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) checks also linked the car to journeys to Haverfordwest and Thompson’s home.

Mobile phone analyses showed 105 calls between Idris and Thompson from June 21 to June 30, with the last call made the day before the arrest. During the call, Idris asked if Thompson would be “about.” A map application on Thomas’ phone confirmed visits to Thompson’s address on July 24.

A search of Thompson’s property uncovered drug paraphernalia, including crack foil, several snap bags, and digital scales containing cocaine residue.

Debt and coercion

During a police interview, Thompson claimed she was contacted by an unidentified caller, later identified as Idris, who asked her to sell drugs.

“He’d heard that [Thompson] could shift drugs,” said prosecutor James Hartson. “She was told she didn’t have to pay up front and could sell the drugs on credit. Her debt eventually reached £6,000, which she tried to clear by selling drugs to fund her addiction. She kept a baseball bat at her home for protection.”

Sentences handed down

Idris and Thompson both pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cocaine possession. Idris also admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine. Thomas, of George Street, Neath, pleaded guilty to cocaine possession.

Idris was sentenced to 50 months in custody. Thomas received 29 months. Thompson was handed a 20-month sentence, suspended for 24 months. She was also ordered to complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work.

Crime

70-year-old denies assault and restraining order breach

Published

4 days ago

May 1, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

A PENSIONER from Pembroke Dock has denied breaching a restraining order and assaulting another man.

Henry Howlett, 70, of Market Street, appeared before Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, May 1), charged with breaching a restraining order and common assault.

The charges relate to an alleged incident on November 9 last year.

Howlett has previously appeared before magistrates in connection with a separate alleged incident involving a neighbour.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court previously heard that a dispute arose on July 17 after neighbour Steven Bromhall was washing his car outside his home in Market Street.

Prosecutor Nia James told the court that, as a taxi arrived to collect Howlett, the driver opened the window while passing and Mr Bromhall inadvertently sprayed the taxi driver with water from a hosepipe.

“The taxi driver started remonstrating, and the defendant then began waving his walking stick in the air, towards Mr Bromhall,” she said.

The court heard Mr Bromhall sustained an injury to his back, although it remained unclear whether he had been struck by Howlett’s stick.

Howlett pleaded not guilty to common assault in relation to that incident and was released on unconditional bail. A trial date was set at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

At Swansea Crown Court today, His Honour Judge P H Thomas KC asked Howlett whether he was legally represented.

“I can’t find anyone decent, I’m still searching, my lord,” Howlett replied.

When the court attempted to take his pleas, Howlett repeatedly interrupted in an effort to give an explanation, prompting the judge to tell him: “Be quiet, Mr Howlett.”

Howlett then pleaded not guilty to the charges, telling the court: “Definitely not guilty.”

As he left the courtroom, Howlett said: “I will get the truth out and I hope you all hang your heads in shame… this is all fixed.”

A trial date was set for January 14, 2027.

Crime

Crymych parent denies failing to comply with school attendance order

Published

4 days ago

May 1, 2026

Court Reporter

A CRYMYCH parent has denied failing to comply with a school attendance order, a court has heard.

The defendant appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged under the Education Act 1996.

The court heard that the defendant is accused of failing, as a parent, to ensure that a child attended school in accordance with the requirements of a School Attendance Order.

It is alleged that after being served with the order, the defendant did not comply within the required 15-day period.

A plea of not guilty was entered.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 14.

A reporting restriction remains in force.

Crime

Cockle fisherman fined £3,450 for multiple breaches at protected site

Published

4 days ago

May 1, 2026

Court Reporter

A GOODWICK man has been ordered to pay £3,450 after breaching fishing regulations at a protected cockle fishery.

Richard William Edwards, 45, of Goodwick, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged with a series of offences at the Burry Inlet cockle fishery.

The court heard that Edwards had fished for cockles without a valid permit and breached conditions imposed under fisheries management rules. He was also found to have used an unauthorised vehicle in the fishery area, contrary to restrictions in place to protect the site.

Magistrates were told the offences took place on September 9, 2025, within the Burry Inlet Cockle Fishery, a designated and regulated area subject to strict controls.

Edwards was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a victim services surcharge of £800, along with costs of £650, bringing the total to £3,450. A collection order was made.

The case was brought under fisheries legislation including the Cockle Fisheries Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024.

The court heard that Edwards had been in breach of a prohibition imposed by the permitting system and had failed to comply with the terms of his permit.

The offences are part of ongoing enforcement efforts to protect the sustainability of cockle stocks and ensure compliance within the fishery.