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

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.