Crime

Cardigan man jailed after repeated break-in to steal beer from Tenby home

Published

1 year ago

May 13, 2025

A MAN from Cardigan has been jailed after repeatedly entering a house in Tenby early in the morning to steal bottles of beer, while the female occupant slept upstairs.

Mark Brook, 31, of Brynheulwen in Blaenannerch, was sentenced to 16 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after admitting burglary as a trespasser with intent to steal.

The court heard that Brook, a serial offender with 17 previous convictions for 27 offences, was caught on CCTV entering the house on Lower Frog Street on three separate occasions between 6:00am and 7:30am on April 21, 2023.

After the victim’s husband left for work shortly after 6:00am, Brook was seen walking past the property. Minutes later, he returned and was filmed trying a neighbour’s door before entering the house and emerging with a beer.

He came back again shortly before 7:00am, this time trying to open the bottle with his teeth. He entered the house a third time not long afterwards.

The victim, who remained in bed unaware of the break-in, later told police she felt “terrified” and “vulnerable” when she realised someone had been in the property while she slept.

Brook was arrested in Cardigan in July and had earlier pleaded guilty at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

His solicitor said a psychiatric report linked his offending to substance misuse and alcohol dependency.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told Brook that the real harm was not the value of what was stolen, but the distress caused to the homeowner.

He added: “The sentence I’m about to pass will hopefully give you an opportunity to get clean from those substances.”

Brook was sent to prison immediately.

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

19 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.