Crime

Man greeted police with illegal zombie knife in Haverfordwest

Published

1 year ago

February 25, 2025

A COURT has heard how Haverfordwest police officers became fearful for their safety after being greeted by a man carrying an illegal zombie knife.

Officers had been called to a property in Winch Lane, Haverfordwest, just after 10:00pm on February 5 following reports that somebody was ‘smashing up’ one of the flats inside Glebe House.

“When officers arrived they heard banging coming from the property,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

After knocking on the front door, the officers were greeted by 25-year-old Jack Mills.

“His right hand was hidden behind the door so that whatever he was holding couldn’t be seen,” said Nia James.

“When he was asked what was in his hand, Jack Mills moved to the centre of the door and officers could see that he was carrying a large combat-style knife. The officers became scared for their safety so they red-dotted him and instructed him to put his hands in the air and drop the knife.”

After retrieving the knife, officers could see that it had a serrated blade with the words ‘Kombat Tactical’ written on it.

“This meant it was a zombie knife, which is illegal to possess, even in your own home,” said Nia James.

After pleading guilty to being in possession of the illegal weapon in a private place, Mills’ solicitor, Mike Kelleher, said he was holding the knife out of concern for who may have been knocking on his door.

“A few days earlier someone had tried to break down his door, to the extent that the door frame was weakened and cracked,” he said.

“When the officers arrived, it wasn’t the defendant who was smashing up his flat, as the banging was coming from another flat upstairs.

“Someone then began banging on his front door and at the same time, an alarm started going off. The defendant was simply concerned about who might have been knocking on his door.”

Mr Kelleher told magistrates that Mills had bought the zombie knife before they were made illegal by new government legislation introduced in September 2024.

“This knife started off as a legal implement but has since become illegal,” he said. “Are people aware of this?

“It wasn’t used for any threatening purpose but stayed behind his back the whole time.”

Mr Kelleher informed magistrates that Mills is employed by a local construction company.

Mills was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months. He must also carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 120 hours of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs while a destruction order was imposed on the zombie knife.

Crime

Publican jailed for six years for supplying cocaine and cannabis

Published

9 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Milford Haven man sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following drug dealing operation

A MILFORD HAVEN publican has been jailed for six years after admitting supplying cocaine and cannabis.

The defendant, who previously appeared before magistrates and was remanded in custody, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following an investigation into drug dealing activity linked to the town.

The court heard that he had been involved in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs, with evidence including material recovered by police and analysis of mobile phone data. Investigators said the activity had been ongoing since at least 2024.

Cocaine, a Class A drug, carries the most serious penalties under UK law, and the involvement of both cocaine and cannabis was reflected in the length of the sentence imposed.

During proceedings, the court was told that the case went beyond isolated incidents, with the defendant playing a significant role in the supply chain. The judge said the offending was serious and sustained, warranting an immediate custodial sentence.

He was sentenced to six years in prison.

The case had previously been heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where the defendant was remanded due to the seriousness of the allegations before being sent to the Crown Court for sentencing.

Crime

Carmarthen man denies coercive control allegations

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody ahead of further hearing

A CARMARTHEN man has denied allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour towards his partner during a prolonged period of alleged abuse.

Mark Hanson, aged 51, of no fixed abode but previously linked to Llangunnor Road, Llangunnor, Carmarthen, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for a further case management hearing on Wednesday (Mar 19).

The court heard that Hanson is accused of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship, contrary to Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015.

It is alleged that between January 1, 2024 and March 12, 2026, at Stackpole, Hanson repeatedly or continuously subjected a female to threats of violence. Prosecutors say the pair were partners at the time, and that the behaviour had a serious effect on the complainant, which Hanson either knew or ought to have known.

Hanson entered a not guilty plea to the charge on March 13.

The court was told that he has been remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, with magistrates citing concerns that he may commit further offences, including causing injury or fear of injury to a person connected to the case.

Additional information presented to the court indicated that Hanson is currently serving a custodial sentence of two months for breaching a Domestic Violence Protection Order.

The case was adjourned for a further case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 23) at 10:00am. The hearing is expected to be conducted via video link and is listed for a duration of 20 minutes.

Magistrates Mr A Allison, Mrs J Morris and Mr D England presided over the hearing. The prosecution was led by Sian Vaughan, with Hanson represented by Alaw Harries of DGJ Solicitors.

Crime

Youth, 15, admits assault on police officer in Milford Haven

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A 15-YEAR-OLD has admitted assaulting a police officer during an incident in Milford Haven.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the offence took place on Saturday (Mar 1), when the youth assaulted Police Constable 573 Evans.

The defendant appeared before magistrates on Wednesday (Mar 19), where a guilty plea to common assault was entered.

The court granted unconditional bail and adjourned the case for sentencing.

The youth is due to appear again at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 2) at 10:00am for sentencing. The hearing is expected to last around 30 minutes.

Under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, the youth cannot be identified.