Crime

Crundale woman sentenced to community order for racial hatred posts

Published

1 year ago

February 4, 2025

A 60-YEAR-OLD woman from Crundale near Haverfordwest has been sentenced for inciting racial hatred on X by calling for the mass deportation of Muslims from the UK.

Lucy Collins posted inflammatory messages on her X account, formerly known as Twitter, on June 3, 2024, after consuming alcohol.

“We must stand up to the Government and have a mass deportation,” she wrote. “We must knock down every mosque, we must burn every Koran, and we must ban Muslims from entering the UK.”

At Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Crown Prosecutor Nia James described Collins’ actions as a hate crime, despite there being no specific victim.

“She posted comments on X which amounted to disturbing written material that could stir up racial hatred,” said Ms James.

However, Collins’ solicitor, Michael Kelleher, said her posts were prompted by fear of a possible terrorist attack.

“She had seen a post which frightened her, relating to Isis terrorists,” he said. “She read about beheadings and became scared.

“She got it into her head that terrorists might knock on her door, and she became very scared. In the cold light of day, you can say that’s not going to happen in Haverfordwest, but it can happen anywhere.”

Mr Kelleher added that Collins, of Greenwell Close, Crundale, had been drinking alcohol earlier that day.

“As a result, she lost some of her inhibitions,” he said. “She was reckless, but it never crossed her mind that racial hatred would be stirred up.”

Collins pleaded guilty to publishing written material to stir up racial hatred. She was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order, requiring her to complete 15 rehabilitation activity days to address her alcohol use. She was also fined £120 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

“I very much doubt we’ll see you in court again, as this has been a salutary experience for you,” said presiding magistrate Mary Smith.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

11 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

11 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.