Crime

Dealer tried to hide cocaine stash in police car

Published

1 year ago

March 6, 2025

A DRUG dealer attempted to conceal nearly 50 grams of cocaine under the seat of a police car after being arrested.

Swansea Crown Court heard that officers stopped a Seat Leon in the St Clears area on February 1 following intelligence reports.

Shaun Clawson, a passenger in the vehicle, was found with a phone on the seat beside him. A cling film wrap and a spoon containing traces of white powder were also discovered in the passenger footwell.

***Shaun Clawson (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police)***

Clawson was arrested, but when officers later removed him from the police car, they found another cling film wrap stashed under the seat.

Prosecutor Alycia Carpanini said: “His reply to caution was that it was nothing to do with him.”

The wrap was later tested and found to contain almost fifty grams of cocaine, estimated to be worth up to £2,7700.

In a police interview, Clawson denied being a drug dealer, claiming he could not afford such a quantity. However, he later admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine.

The court heard that Clawson, 39, of Nantucket Avenue, Milford Haven, had 19 previous convictions for 37 offences, including previous drug dealing offences.

Defence solicitor Stuart John said Clawson accepted he was subject to the mandatory minimum sentence but claimed he was working to turn his life around. He told the court Clawson was making positive use of his time in custody, working towards a degree and assisting other prisoners.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told Clawson: “This is the fourth time you have been convicted of selling Class A drugs. I’m told you want to turn your life around. I hope you are genuine about it, otherwise, your life will be spent in prison.”

Clawson was sentenced to six years in prison.

Ms Carpanini confirmed that no application would be made under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

18 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

18 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.