Crime

Pembrokeshire man punched partner and smashed up pub

Published

10 months ago

May 16, 2025

ALEX CAMPBELL fractured his partner’s eye socket after she told him to cut down on drinking—then trashed a pub two days later.

Swansea Crown Court heard the 29-year-old had been staying at his partner’s home in Hakin on March 5, as he had nowhere else to go. When she returned at around 8:30pm, Campbell was drunk and watching television.

Prosecutor Brian Simpson said the woman suggested he shouldn’t be drinking so much. The pair began to argue, and Campbell punched her in the face.

The next morning, the victim noticed double vision and went to hospital, where doctors found she had suffered a fractured eye socket.

Just two days later, Campbell was involved in a heated row with another man inside Legends Tavern in Johnston. He knocked a glass and candle holder from a table, smashing them, before hurling a chair at a wall-mounted television. As he left the pub, he punched an outdoor light, breaking it.

Later the same day, police were called to a home in Johnston where Campbell had been seen banging on a door and using a broken plant pot in an apparent attempt to force entry.

When officers arrived, they instructed Campbell to show his hands. Instead, he reached into his pocket. Fearing he may be armed, an officer grabbed him. During the struggle, the officer suffered scratches to his face and chin.

A search of Campbell uncovered three diazepam tablets.

Campbell, who is of no fixed address, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, criminal damage, assaulting an emergency worker, and possession of a Class C drug. The court heard he had 12 previous convictions for 21 offences.

In mitigation, Ashanti-Jade Walton said Campbell was “deeply ashamed” and had reached “an all-time low”.

“At the heart of this is someone who recognises he has problems,” she said. “This time, something has clicked—he knows he has to change.”

Judge Catherine Richards handed down a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. Campbell must also complete an alcohol abstinence monitoring programme and attend an accredited rehabilitation course.

Crime

Carmarthen man denies coercive control allegations

Published

11 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody ahead of further hearing

A CARMARTHEN man has denied allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour towards his partner during a prolonged period of alleged abuse.

Mark Hanson, aged 51, of no fixed abode but previously linked to Llangunnor Road, Llangunnor, Carmarthen, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for a further case management hearing on Wednesday (Mar 19).

The court heard that Hanson is accused of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship, contrary to Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015.

It is alleged that between January 1, 2024 and March 12, 2026, at Stackpole, Hanson repeatedly or continuously subjected a female to threats of violence. Prosecutors say the pair were partners at the time, and that the behaviour had a serious effect on the complainant, which Hanson either knew or ought to have known.

Hanson entered a not guilty plea to the charge on March 13.

The court was told that he has been remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, with magistrates citing concerns that he may commit further offences, including causing injury or fear of injury to a person connected to the case.

Additional information presented to the court indicated that Hanson is currently serving a custodial sentence of two months for breaching a Domestic Violence Protection Order.

The case was adjourned for a further case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 23) at 10:00am. The hearing is expected to be conducted via video link and is listed for a duration of 20 minutes.

Magistrates Mr A Allison, Mrs J Morris and Mr D England presided over the hearing. The prosecution was led by Sian Vaughan, with Hanson represented by Alaw Harries of DGJ Solicitors.

Crime

Youth, 15, admits assault on police officer in Milford Haven

Published

31 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A 15-YEAR-OLD has admitted assaulting a police officer during an incident in Milford Haven.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the offence took place on Saturday (Mar 1), when the youth assaulted Police Constable 573 Evans.

The defendant appeared before magistrates on Wednesday (Mar 19), where a guilty plea to common assault was entered.

The court granted unconditional bail and adjourned the case for sentencing.

The youth is due to appear again at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 2) at 10:00am for sentencing. The hearing is expected to last around 30 minutes.

Under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, the youth cannot be identified.

Crime

Youth given conditional discharge after series of offences in Haverfordwest

Published

33 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A YOUTH has been given a conditional discharge after admitting a series of offences in Haverfordwest, including assault, shop theft and interfering with motor vehicles.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the offences took place over a number of days in December 2025.

The court was told that on Saturday (Dec 6), the youth assaulted another child by beating them during an incident in the town. On the same date, they also stole two cans of Red Bull worth £5.40 from Tesco.

Further offences were committed on Tuesday (Dec 9), when the youth interfered with multiple vehicles at a vehicle repair workshop at Havens Head Business Park, Milford Haven. The offences involved attempts to interfere with vehicles with the intention of theft.

The youth appeared before magistrates on Wednesday (Mar 19), where guilty pleas were entered to all matters.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge for each offence, taking into account the early guilty pleas.

The court also ordered the youth to pay £100 in compensation to the victim of the assault and £5.40 in compensation to Tesco. No order for costs was made due to the financial circumstances involved.

Under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, the youth cannot be identified.