Magistrates hear how man’s obsession drove woman from her home

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has admitted building a secret observation den behind his former partner’s home in a disturbing attempt to monitor her movements following the breakdown of their relationship.

Dewi Williams, 32, of Neyland Road, Steynton, selected a secluded spot at the rear of the woman’s property in Pembroke Dock and used it over a three-month period to track her day-to-day activities.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Williams also regularly drove around the area in a further attempt to observe the woman, who has since been forced to move house.

“He had a look-out at the rear of her property and when the woman was told about this, she felt unable to return to her home,” Crown Prosecutor Ann Griffiths told the court.

“She had to make significant changes to her life and went to live in another location.

“This very persistent activity has had a significant and onerous effect on her lifestyle and has caused her considerable stress.”

Williams pleaded guilty to stalking the woman between May 15 and August 28, 2024. He was legally represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd.

“This wasn’t done to deliberately cause her distress, but he struggled to cope when the relationship ended,” said Mr Lloyd.

“And he struggled in a way that can only be described as complete madness.

“This is a man with a previously clean character who has responded to an acrimonious break-up in entirely the wrong way. When arrested, the first thing he said was that he was sorry for what he had done.”

The court was told that since the incident, Williams has been engaging with counselling services.

Magistrates rejected a request by the Crown to send the case to Crown Court, choosing instead to retain jurisdiction. Sentencing was adjourned to June 3 for a pre-sentence report to be prepared by the probation service.

Williams was released on conditional bail, with strict conditions not to contact the victim either directly or indirectly, and not to enter Pembroke Dock except to travel to and from his place of work at the Valero Oil Refinery.