Crime

Hakin woman sentenced for throwing water at police officer

Published

1 year ago

February 18, 2025

A HAKIN woman has been brought before magistrates after throwing a cupful of water over an on-duty police officer.

Veronica Jones, 36, had been placed inside the cage of a police van as she waited to be interviewed by officers in relation to an unrelated matter. But after being refused pain relief medication by one of the officers, Jones saw red.

“A number of prisoners were waiting to be booked in on February 2, and Veronica Jones was told that there would be some delay,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“She told the officers that she was feeling claustrophobic in the rear cage, so the officer opened the door to allow some fresh air in.”

At this point, Jones, of Haven Drive, Hakin, became verbally abusive.

“She stated she was having a panic attack, although she seemed to be fine,” continued Nia James. “She asked for some water, and the officer locked the rear cage, got a paper cup, and filled it to about 1 cm from the top.”

When the officer returned to the police van, Jones began demanding her medication. However, Nia James reminded magistrates that police officers are not authorised to grant any medication to prisoners unless they have been seen by a nurse.

“This was when the defendant became irate,” said Nia James. “She told the officers, ‘I’m in f****** pain and all I want is my f****** meds.’”

At this point, Jones threw the water at the officer, shouting, “F****** have that, you ugly b****.”

“Police officers are people who are simply doing their jobs to help other people,” concluded Nia James.

Jones pleaded guilty to assaulting the emergency worker by beating. She was legally represented in court by solicitor Michael Kelleher.

“Being in the back of a van can be very uncomfortable,” he said. “The defendant had a torn ligament in her ankle and asked for her Co-codamol, which is just a painkiller. She’d brought it with her in readiness for a delay, but the officers had to follow the correct procedure.

“Foolishly, in her annoyance, she threw the water at the police officer. She lost her temper, but no injury has been caused.”

Jones was sentenced to an 18-month conditional discharge. She must pay £85 court costs and a £26 victim surcharge.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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.