Crime

Persistent shoplifter caught stealing three times in Pembroke Dock

Published

1 year ago

February 18, 2025

A PERSISTENT Pembrokeshire shoplifter has appeared before magistrates after being caught stealing items from the Pembroke Dock branch of Home Bargains on three separate occasions.

Michel Valmont, 47, was seen entering the store on November 21 and removing goods valued at £53.49. None of the stolen items were recovered.

Eight days later, he returned to the store and stole £181.67 worth of goods, and once again, none of them were recovered.

The third offence took place on December 1, when Valmont stole a watch strap from Home Bargains, valued at £6.99.

This week, Valmont, of Water Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates, where he pleaded guilty to all three charges of theft.

After outlining the facts, Crown Prosecutor Nia James said the defendant has 71 similar convictions.

Meanwhile, his solicitor, Tom Lloyd, said the defendant is currently “trying very hard to lead a pro-social life.”

“He’s engaged fully with the probation service and is trying to get clear of heroin, because over the years, this has been his main problem,” Mr Lloyd told the magistrates.

Valmont was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order, during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was also ordered to pay a total of £242.15 compensation to Home Bargains, £85 court costs, and a £114 surcharge.

Crime

Bomb hoax allegation lands Carmarthenshire man before court

Published

1 hour ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has appeared before magistrates accused of making a bomb hoax and assaulting police officers.

Anthony Mold, 38, of Sandy Road, Llanelli, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Mold is charged with communicating false information by alleging that a bomb or other explosive substance was present at Dafen Police Station.

The allegation relates to an incident on May 6 this year.

The defendant also faces charges of assaulting two police officers, damaging a police vehicle, and breaching a Community Protection Notice.

Court records show the damage charge relates to a Dyfed-Powys Police vehicle.

Mold entered guilty pleas to the offences before the court.

District Judge M Layton remanded him in custody for the preparation of reports ahead of sentencing.

The case was adjourned until Thursday, July 2, when Mold is due to be sentenced at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Crime

Carmarthenshire pensioner, 86, accused of causing prostitution for gain

Published

1 hour ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

AN 86-YEAR-OLD Carmarthenshire pensioner has appeared before magistrates accused of causing or inciting prostitution for gain.

Hywel Charles, of Rhandirfelin, Llanelli, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Charles is charged under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 with intentionally causing or inciting another person to become a prostitute for, or in expectation of, gain for himself.

The allegation relates to an incident said to have taken place at Llanelli on October 9, 2025.

Complainant protected

The complainant in the case is protected by automatic anonymity under the Sexual Offences Amendment Act 1992.

Charles appeared before District Judge M Layton at a ground rules hearing.

He was represented by John Allchurch, of Goldstones Solicitors, while Nia James prosecuted for CPS Wales.

The defendant was remanded on conditional bail.

He must not contact a named person directly or indirectly.

Charles is due to appear again at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 6, for a further case management hearing.

Crime

Children most at risk in Dyfed-Powys TikTok-linked crime cases

Published

1 hour ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOI data reveals forty-two under-18 victims as police record more than 130 incidents mentioning the platform

CHILDREN were the largest group of victims in Dyfed-Powys crimes where TikTok was mentioned, new Freedom of Information figures have revealed.

Data obtained by JF Law shows that Dyfed-Powys Police recorded 131 TikTok-linked violence, stalking and harassment offences between 2023 and 2025.

Of those, forty-two victims were under the age of eighteen.

Pembrokeshire recorded 32 incidents over the three-year period, with eight in 2023, thirteen in 2024 and eleven in 2025.

Across the force area, Carmarthenshire recorded the highest number of incidents, with 51. Powys recorded 29 and Ceredigion recorded thirteen.

Stalking and harassment made up the vast majority of the Dyfed-Powys cases, accounting for 128 of the 131 offences. Three were recorded as violence with injury.

Wales-wide concern

The figures were obtained through Freedom of Information requests covering Welsh police forces.

South Wales Police recorded the highest number, with 2,034 crimes where TikTok or Tik Tok was mentioned in police records between 2023 and 2025.

Those figures rose from 488 in 2023 to 656 in 2024 and 890 in 2025.

Gwent Police recorded 373 incidents, while North Wales Police recorded 199.

The North Wales data included cases of harassment, malicious communications, blackmail, sexual grooming, sexual activity involving a child under sixteen, exposure and voyeurism, and threats to kill.

Police forces stressed that the figures do not mean TikTok caused the crimes. The data relates to cases where the platform was mentioned in the modus operandi field or investigation summary.

‘Digital hunting ground’

Ellie Lamey, a Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority specialist at JF Law, said: “The sheer volume of these cases is a stark warning to parents and authorities alike.

“We are seeing everyday platforms being weaponised by predators to target our youngest and most vulnerable, turning what should be a harmless online space into a digital hunting ground.

“The trauma inflicted by cyber-stalking, harassment, and online-facilitated abuse has profound, real-world consequences that can completely shatter a family’s sense of security.”

She added: “It is crucial that victims know there are concrete legal avenues available to fight back.

“Nobody should have to navigate this nightmare in silence, and we are committed to helping survivors secure the protection, justice, and support they need to move forward.”

JF Law provides legal support and advice to those affected by online harassment, abuse and related crimes. Their website is www.jflaw.co.uk.