A WARRANT has been issued for a Haverfordwest man who failed to appear at court to be sentenced for sending a series of grossly offensive and menacing messages.

Steven Butler, 39, of Douglas James Way, had previously pleaded guilty to an offence under the Communications Act 2003 after sending a number of messages via a public electronic communications network that were described as obscene, indecent, and threatening.

The offences took place between October 23 and October 29, 2024, and were intended to cause distress or anxiety to the recipient or others who might see or be affected by the content.

Butler had been due to attend Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (May 13) but failed to turn up. Magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest without bail.

The court heard the messages were “grossly offensive” and sent deliberately to cause harm. Prosecutor Ann Griffiths presented the case, with Mr Andrew Smith listed as defence.

A MAN is due back before the courts later this month accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent during an incident at a Narberth pub.

Thomas Cuffe, aged 32, of the Cartref Hotel, High Street, Fishguard, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (May 13) for a first hearing relating to the alleged assault.

The case concerns a serious incident said to have taken place on New Year’s Day 2023 at The Eagle pub in Narberth. It is alleged that Cuffe unlawfully and maliciously caused grievous bodily harm to Wil Vallence, with intent to do him serious injury. The charge is brought under Section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 – one of the most serious assault offences in UK law.

During the brief hearing, no plea was entered. The court was told that Cuffe’s current address is temporary, and the Crown Prosecution Service will seek an updated address from police. As a result, the case was adjourned.

Cuffe, who is represented by defence solicitor Mike Kelleher, is now scheduled to return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, May 27 at 10:00am. The prosecution is being led by Ann Griffiths.

The next hearing is expected to include a plea, and depending on the outcome, the case may be sent to the Crown Court due to its seriousness.

A WEST WALES man has been jailed for 12 years after he was caught sending sexually explicit messages to what he believed was a 14-year-old girl.

GUY BRIGDALE, aged 34, from Fforestfach, Swansea began sending a string of graphic messages in January this year, targeting what he thought was a young teenager. The account, however, was a decoy set up as part of an undercover operation.

Brigdale, who has links to Pembrokeshire, pleaded guilty to the following offences:

Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child

Attempting to cause/incite a girl aged 13–15 to engage in sexual activity

Attempting to cause a child aged 13–15 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity

Attempting to meet a child under 16 following grooming

Breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order

He was sentenced to an extended 12-year term, which includes a lengthy custodial period followed by extended licence conditions.

Detective Sergeant Samuel Stanway of South Wales Police said: “The messages sent by Guy Brigdale, to an individual he believed was a child, were abhorrent.

“There is no place for anyone who willingly engages in sexual communication with a child in our society. It is very fortunate that this wasn’t a real child involved in the conversation, as they could have been posed a great danger by someone like Guy Brigdale.

“The right place for him is prison, as is highlighted by this lengthy sentence.”

Brigdale will remain under strict conditions upon release due to the nature of the offending and the risk he poses.