Crime

Pembrokeshire drug addict jailed for crime spree

Published

1 year ago

April 22, 2025

A PEMBROKESHIRE man whose life spiralled out of control due to drug addiction has been sentenced to eight months in prison following a series of offences across the county.

Rowan Clark, aged 24, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court via video link from Swansea Prison on Tuesday (Apr 16), having pleaded guilty to 12 separate offences committed while under the influence of drugs.

The charges included possession of a large knife in a public place, failure to attend a drugs assessment at Dyfed-Powys Police headquarters, interfering with a Blue Honda in Pembroke from which a Pandora bracelet and AirPods were stolen, and causing criminal damage to property belonging to Pembrokeshire County Council, valued at £602.78.

Clark also admitted damaging the door of Greathead and Whitelock Solicitors in Pembroke by kicking it—causing £62 worth of damage—as well as failing to surrender to custody after being granted bail.

He further admitted four separate thefts of alcohol totalling £105.60 and two thefts of groceries worth £55.90.

Clark, who is of no fixed address, was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who told the court: “Each of these offences is linked to his issues with drug use. He’s also experienced homelessness, which has made things worse and led to more offending.

“When he’s clean, he’s a pleasure to be around. But he has gone on a downward spiral, and things have spiralled completely out of control.”

Mr Lloyd added that since being remanded in custody, Clark had begun to address his drug issues and was “benefitting tremendously” from the prison environment.

“He wants to better himself,” he added.

Magistrates were presented with a comprehensive probation report recommending immediate custody. Clark was sentenced to eight months in prison and ordered to pay £1,019.58 in compensation, £170 in court costs, and a £187 victim surcharge.

A forfeiture and destruction order was also made in relation to the knife.

Crime

Milford Haven man admits assault and harassment charges

Published

3 days ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN has admitted assaulting a family member and harassing another relative following incidents in the town last year.

Wayne Whatling, 39, of Howarth Close, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Whatling changed his pleas to guilty to one charge of assault by beating and one charge of harassment without violence.

The assault charge relates to an incident in Milford Haven on September 13, 2025, when Whatling assaulted Ben Whatling by beating him.

He also admitted pursuing a course of conduct amounting to harassment against Carol Whatling between September 1 and September 13, 2025.

The court heard the harassment allegation involved repeatedly asking Carol Whatling for money, with the complainant said to have feared repercussions if she did not provide it.

Magistrates adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Whatling was remanded on conditional bail and ordered not to contact Carol or Ben Whatling directly or indirectly.

He is due to be sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (June 9).

Crime

Milford Haven man admits affray after alleged pub incident

Published

3 days ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has admitted affray following an incident at a town centre pub.

Stephen Collier, 38, of Vaynor Road, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Collier has pleaded guilty to affray, relating to an incident at Nos Da, Victoria Road, Milford Haven, on December 3, 2025.

The charge states that he used unlawful violence towards John Dean Hilton and that his conduct was such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for their personal safety.

Collier also faces a separate charge of burglary dwelling with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. It is alleged that, on the same date, he entered a flat at Nos Da as a trespasser and inflicted grievous bodily harm on Mr Hilton. He denies that charge.

The court also dealt with a breach of bail allegation after Collier was arrested on May 20 for allegedly breaching a curfew condition. He admitted the breach.

Magistrates re-admitted him to conditional bail.

His bail conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 9:00pm and 6:00am, residence at his Vaynor Road address, and exclusions from Mount Estate, Milford Haven town centre, and Nos Da.

He must also not contact prosecution witnesses, including Molly Martin, Jack Martin, Lily Rose Martin and John Hilton.

Collier is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, June 5, for sentence.

A spokesperson for Nos Da said the incident was connected with rooms upstairs at the Victoria Road premises, and did not take place in the bar itself, in the licensed area.