Crime

Hung jury in biker death trial after fatal A477 crash

Published

1 year ago

June 3, 2025

Defendant will learn this month if he faces retrial

THERE has been a hung jury in the trial of a man accused of causing the death of a motorcyclist by careless driving near the Nash Fingerpost Junction in Pembrokeshire.

Jason Harvey, aged 43, of Law Street, Pembroke Dock, stood trial at Swansea Crown Court charged with causing the death of 29-year-old Ashley Rogers, from Kilgetty, by careless driving.

The incident occurred at around 8:00am on Saturday, May 13, 2023, when Mr Harvey was towing a trailer behind his Ford Transit van, joining the A477 from the A4075.

After deliberating for four hours and 46 minutes, the jury was unable to reach a verdict. Judge Catherine Richards discharged the jury and thanked them for their service.

The Crown Prosecution Service now has 14 days to decide whether to proceed with a retrial. Mr Harvey is due to return to Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday, June 17, when a decision is expected. He remains on bail.

During the trial, prosecuting counsel Dyfed Thomas KC argued that Mr Harvey failed to take enough time to properly check the road before pulling out into the junction.

“There simply wasn’t enough time to do what he’s telling you – to look right, left and right again,” Mr Thomas said. “The duty is on the person to make sure the road is clear.”

He added that the fact Mr Harvey was towing a trailer made it even more important to exercise caution.

“If you are driving a lengthy vehicle you have to be more careful,” he said. “He didn’t slow down sufficiently and take enough time to look in the directions that he needed to look.”

In response, Charles Langley KC, defending, told the jury that Mr Rogers’ Ducati motorbike had “come out of nowhere.” He said his client was of good character, held a valid trailer licence, and was regarded as a careful driver.

Mr Harvey was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, was well-rested, and was familiar with the junction, the court heard.

Following the crash, Mr Rogers’ family issued a tribute: “He was loved and will be dearly missed by his fiancé, son, family and friends.”

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

17 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

18 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.