Crime

Pregnant woman strangled by ex after refusing to drop complaint

Published

1 year ago

May 30, 2025

Evans jailed for 28 months following terrifying incident in Pembroke

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been jailed after he forced his way into his pregnant ex-partner’s home and strangled her when she refused to withdraw a police complaint.

LEIGHTON EVANS, aged 30, of London Road, had been banned from contacting the woman following allegations of assault. Despite this, on the evening of November 8 last year, he appeared in her garden and climbed through a window into her home in Pembroke.

The victim, who was 30 weeks pregnant at the time, found Evans sitting on her sofa rolling a cigarette. Prosecutor Georgia Donohue told the court that he began accusing her of “ruining his life” and demanded she retract the complaint she had made to police.

When the woman refused, Evans attempted to leave undetected by avoiding her doorbell camera. However, he began arguing with her again at the side of the house.

Ms Donohue said Evans made threatening remarks, including telling her she would “lose her baby”. When she tried to push him away, Evans grabbed her by the throat with both hands. She managed to fight him off and he fled.

The woman immediately contacted friends, who in turn called the police.

Evans initially told officers he had been at home all evening and claimed CCTV would support his story. When asked about a red mark on his neck, he said it was from shaving. However, during transport to the station, he admitted being at the woman’s home but alleged she had attacked him.

The court heard the woman now feels vulnerable and fearful when people knock at her door. “I just want to feel safe,” she said.

Evans had previously been convicted at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on February 3 for battery and criminal damage, relating to a separate incident last October where he threw a fork at the victim, punched her, and smashed her phone. He was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison for those offences.

Initially denying the charges of intentional strangulation and witness intimidation, Evans changed his plea to guilty on the day of trial in relation to the strangulation.

Defending, Emily Bennett said Evans had found his first time in custody “sobering and distressing” and accepted the relationship was over. “He knows he must leave her alone,” she said.

Judge Catherine Richards sentenced Evans to 28 months in prison. A three-year restraining order was imposed to protect the victim.

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

2 minutes ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

31 minutes ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.

Crime

Haverfordwest pair accused of £80,000 rogue trading frauds

Published

33 minutes ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

TWO men from a Haverfordwest traveller family have been described in court as “rogue traders” following a series of alleged frauds totalling almost £80,000.

Billy Alfred Gary Lovell, 38, and Timothy Dean Lovell, 36, both of Under the Hills, Merlins Bridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

They are accused of offences linked to ground clearance and gardening work in Mathry, Sardis and two addresses in Carmarthenshire.

Prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Trading Standards Department, barrister Harry Dickens told the court: “These men have to be described as rogue traders.”

Billy Lovell faces 16 charges, including fraud by false representation, fraud by failing to disclose information, and unfair commercial practices.

The most serious allegation relates to Diana and Martin Hearnshaw, of Sardis. It is alleged that between January 30, 2022, and January 16, 2025, Billy Lovell dishonestly represented that he would complete clearance and gardening works worth £71,631, but failed to carry out work to that value.

He is also accused of offences involving Richard Gardner, of Penygroes, Carmarthenshire, Irene Williams, of Mathry, and Daniel Watts, of Ty Croes, Carmarthenshire.

Timothy Lovell faces ten charges arising from alleged incidents involving Richard Gardner and Irene Williams.

The allegations include claims that the defendants failed to provide accurate invoices, receipts, written contractual terms, cancellation rights and refund information. Some charges also allege that aggressive commercial practices were used, including harassment, coercion or undue influence.

No pleas were recorded. Because of the seriousness of the allegations, District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction.

The case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on June 12.

Both defendants were granted conditional bail. They must not contact prosecution witnesses directly or indirectly, must live and sleep each night at their respective addresses in Under the Hills, Merlins Bridge, and must not undertake any gardening or landscaping work.