Crime

Teenager jailed for stabbing outside Milford Haven McDonald’s

Published

9 months ago

May 16, 2025

A YOUNG man has been jailed after a teenager was stabbed during a violent confrontation near McDonald’s in Milford Haven last summer.

The incident happened on the night of August 24, 2024, when a group of friends were confronted near the Victoria Bridge and later outside the fast food restaurant.

MCAULEY BROWN, aged 18, of Tower View, Marloes, pleaded guilty on the day of his trial at Swansea Crown Court to inflicting grievous bodily harm and threatening another man with a knife. The court heard he used what appeared to be a six-inch “zombie knife” to stab one of the victims in the shoulder and slash at another.

Two other teenagers — HAYDN BLOCKWELL, 18, of James Street, Hakin, and HAYDN ASHTON, 19, of Larch Road, Milford Haven — also admitted their roles in the incident by pleading guilty to affray.

Prosecutor Helen Randall told the court that the victims were initially threatened while crossing Victoria Bridge, as the defendants shouted from a passing car: “We’ll stab you up” and “We’ll shut you up”.

***The hearing took place at Swansea Crown Court this week (Image: Herald)***

Shortly afterwards, the vehicle returned and stopped near the McDonald’s. All three defendants got out. Brown, wearing a balaclava, punched one of the men before drawing a knife from his waistband and slashing at another victim while yelling: “I’ll slice you.”

The victim sustained cuts to his torso and fingers before being stabbed in the shoulder. He did not immediately realise he had been stabbed and only sought medical help after returning home.

Blockwell, who was unarmed, followed one of the victims shouting threats, while Ashton was said to be carrying a metal pole. All three fled the scene laughing after the stabbing, the court was told.

Police arrested the defendants shortly afterwards. Phone evidence showed that the driver — who has not been charged in connection with the violence — searched online for legal advice about stabbing incidents and exchanged messages with Ashton discussing what they might tell police.

Brown also admitted criminal damage after carving his initials into a police cell door.

Judge Huw Rees sentenced Brown to three years and two months in a Young Offender Institution. Blockwell was handed a 16-month term but was released immediately due to time served on remand. Ashton received a 13-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Brown had previous youth cautions for possession of a bladed article and common assault. The court heard that all three defendants expressed remorse for their actions.

Crime

Hakin man’s appeal delayed again as Crown Court seeks guidance on insurance law

Published

46 minutes ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Judge gives CPS more time to review latest road traffic law guidance before case returns in March

A HAKIN man’s appeal against a conviction for driving without insurance has been delayed after a judge granted prosecutors additional time to review updated legal guidance.

Seventy-six-year-old Niall Taylor, of Haven Drive, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Jan 13) for a mention hearing in his case.

Taylor has accepted the finding that he drove otherwise than in accordance with a licence, but is challenging the separate conviction for using a vehicle without insurance.

The case relates to an incident on January 18, 2023, when he drove a Vauxhall Zafira along Hammond Avenue, Haverfordwest.

The matter has already followed an unusual procedural history. Taylor initially pleaded not guilty in the magistrates’ court but later changed his plea during the original trial. Questions were subsequently raised over whether that plea had been “equivocal”, leading the case to be reopened under Section 142 of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 and reheard in full.

Following a trial of the facts, magistrates found him guilty and imposed sentence in December. Taylor has since lodged an appeal focused solely on the insurance offence.

During Tuesday’s hearing, His Honour Judge Walters granted the Crown Prosecution Service 28 days to review Wilkinson’s Road Traffic Offences (32nd Edition), the leading legal reference text used by courts in motoring cases.

Addressing the court, the judge said the matter may still require further consideration, adding: “The court still might want to reconsider the sentence even if the insurance company is right. It does look as if different insurance companies do things in different ways.”

He added: “It is not in fact void, but it is voidable.”

Taylor maintains that a valid insurance policy was in force at the time of driving and argues that, in law, third-party cover cannot simply be cancelled because of an administrative licensing issue.

The appeal is due to return to Swansea Crown Court on March 27, when further legal argument is expected.

Crime

Pembroke Dock woman admits breaching community order

Published

4 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Magistrates revoke sentence after missed appointments

A PEMBROKE DOCK woman has admitted breaching the terms of a community order.

Shannon Charge, aged 30, of Pater Court, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

She admitted failing to attend a scheduled probation appointment and a drug dependency appointment.

Magistrates revoked the existing community order and ordered her to pay £60 in court costs.

The court heard the order related to earlier offences, for which she had been made subject to rehabilitation and drug treatment requirements. A further review hearing is listed for March 2.