Crime

Hakin woman prevented from seeing her mother after assault

Published

1 year ago

January 28, 2025

A HAKIN woman has been banned from contacting her mother after admitting to assaulting her in front of young children.

Rhian Gillard, 32, arrived at her mother’s home just before 9.30 am on June 25, with her mother, Peggy Sandy, previously agreeing to look after Gillard’s young children. The situation escalated when an argument broke out between the two women.

“They both had a challenging relationship,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

“An argument broke out, and Rhian Gillard ripped the glasses off Peggy Sandy’s face, grabbed her, put both hands around her throat and held it for a few seconds. The victim felt pain to the right side of her head.”

As Peggy Sandy sat on the settee, she used her feet to push against Gillard’s stomach to prevent her from approaching her again.

“I told her not to do this, particularly in front of the children, but she said I’d have to force her out,” Peggy Sandy said in her victim impact statement.

“I was shocked at her behaviour and very disappointed. Her temper is terrible, but I needed to put the children first.”

Gillard, of Waterloo Square, Hakin, pleaded guilty to assaulting Peggy Sandy by beating. She was represented in court by solicitor Fenn Richards.

“My client was instantly remorseful for her actions and handed herself in to the police station that same day,” Richards said. “Clearly, people don’t go out of their way to assault family members, but there had been ongoing issues between them. However, she acknowledges that what she did was wrong.”

After reviewing a pre-sentence report from the probation service, Magistrates sentenced Gillard, who has no previous convictions, to a 12-month Community Order. As part of the order, she must complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Gillard was also fined £40 and ordered to pay £75 in court costs and a £114 surcharge.

A restraining order was imposed, prohibiting Gillard from having any contact with her mother for the next 12 months.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

3 hours 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

4 hours 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.