Crime
Driver claimed ‘kidnap by Islamic male’ after crashing drink-drive vehicle
A POLISH motorist who crashed his car after driving over the legal alcohol limit told police he had been kidnapped and held to ransom by an Islamic male threatening to harm his friend.
However, the claim was not accepted by police, prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week, as 47-year-old Pawel Stasiak appeared in the dock.
Stasiak, of Little Road, Hayes, London, pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving without a licence, and driving without insurance.
The incident began just before 9:00pm on May 9, when Stasiak was seen walking out of the Co-op store in Pembroke. A witness saw him bend down to speak to some children, and believed an inappropriate word had been said. Stasiak then shook the children’s hands and got into his car.
“He was then seen driving the wrong way against the flow of traffic,” said Ms Vaughan. “He was also seen making a praying gesture with his hands before driving off at speed.”
Minutes later, his Toyota RAV4 was found crashed at the entrance to Newton Farm campsite, near Freshwater West. The vehicle had mounted a grass verge, smashed through a fence, and come to rest with Stasiak in the driver’s seat and a dog beside him.
He then got out and walked into a nearby field.
“He appeared either intoxicated or in shock, as he was staggering around,” Ms Vaughan said.
Police arrived at the scene but Stasiak initially refused a roadside breath test, claiming he had been kidnapped by an Islamic male and was being ransomed due to threats made against a friend.
He was arrested and taken into custody, where he later provided breath samples with a reading of 60 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Supported by a Polish interpreter in court, Stasiak became emotional as he addressed the magistrates.
“I had a huge problem with alcohol, but I stopped drinking for ten years,” he said. “Then my brother passed away in December, and since then, everything has come back.”
Magistrates disqualified him from driving for 20 months. He was fined £161 and ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £64 victim surcharge.
Crime
70-year-old denies assault and restraining order breach
A PENSIONER from Pembroke Dock has denied breaching a restraining order and assaulting another man.
Henry Howlett, 70, of Market Street, appeared before Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, May 1), charged with breaching a restraining order and common assault.
The charges relate to an alleged incident on November 9 last year.
Howlett has previously appeared before magistrates in connection with a separate alleged incident involving a neighbour.
Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court previously heard that a dispute arose on July 17 after neighbour Steven Bromhall was washing his car outside his home in Market Street.
Prosecutor Nia James told the court that, as a taxi arrived to collect Howlett, the driver opened the window while passing and Mr Bromhall inadvertently sprayed the taxi driver with water from a hosepipe.
“The taxi driver started remonstrating, and the defendant then began waving his walking stick in the air, towards Mr Bromhall,” she said.
The court heard Mr Bromhall sustained an injury to his back, although it remained unclear whether he had been struck by Howlett’s stick.
Howlett pleaded not guilty to common assault in relation to that incident and was released on unconditional bail. A trial date was set at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.
At Swansea Crown Court today, His Honour Judge P H Thomas KC asked Howlett whether he was legally represented.
“I can’t find anyone decent, I’m still searching, my lord,” Howlett replied.
When the court attempted to take his pleas, Howlett repeatedly interrupted in an effort to give an explanation, prompting the judge to tell him: “Be quiet, Mr Howlett.”
Howlett then pleaded not guilty to the charges, telling the court: “Definitely not guilty.”
As he left the courtroom, Howlett said: “I will get the truth out and I hope you all hang your heads in shame… this is all fixed.”
A trial date was set for January 14, 2027.
Crime
Crymych parent denies failing to comply with school attendance order
A CRYMYCH parent has denied failing to comply with a school attendance order, a court has heard.
The defendant appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged under the Education Act 1996.
The court heard that the defendant is accused of failing, as a parent, to ensure that a child attended school in accordance with the requirements of a School Attendance Order.
It is alleged that after being served with the order, the defendant did not comply within the required 15-day period.
A plea of not guilty was entered.
Magistrates adjourned the case for a case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 14.
A reporting restriction remains in force.
Crime
Cockle fisherman fined £3,450 for multiple breaches at protected site
A GOODWICK man has been ordered to pay £3,450 after breaching fishing regulations at a protected cockle fishery.
Richard William Edwards, 45, of Goodwick, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged with a series of offences at the Burry Inlet cockle fishery.
The court heard that Edwards had fished for cockles without a valid permit and breached conditions imposed under fisheries management rules. He was also found to have used an unauthorised vehicle in the fishery area, contrary to restrictions in place to protect the site.
Magistrates were told the offences took place on September 9, 2025, within the Burry Inlet Cockle Fishery, a designated and regulated area subject to strict controls.
Edwards was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a victim services surcharge of £800, along with costs of £650, bringing the total to £3,450. A collection order was made.
The case was brought under fisheries legislation including the Cockle Fisheries Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024.
The court heard that Edwards had been in breach of a prohibition imposed by the permitting system and had failed to comply with the terms of his permit.
The offences are part of ongoing enforcement efforts to protect the sustainability of cockle stocks and ensure compliance within the fishery.
-
Local Government6 days agoFishguard children’s home application is a ‘legal test’, not planning merits decision
-
Community4 days agoDogs removed after welfare concerns at Milford Haven property
-
Crime6 days agoDrink-driver hit bicycle and failed to stop
-
Crime5 days agoPembrokeshire hairdresser avoids prison after pub assault
-
Crime5 days agoPembrokeshire man charged with making hundreds of indecent images of children
-
Business5 days agoHandcrafted garden furniture built to last across Pembrokeshire
-
Charity5 days agoRow erupts at Spitfire museum after Reform poster displayed at charity premises
-
Community5 days agoCancer patients targeted with parking fines outside Haverfordwest support centre










