Crime

Stalker built secret den to spy on ex-partner

Published

1 year ago

May 13, 2025

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.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

9 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

9 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.