Crime

Record number of Pembrokeshire residents in court over council tax arrears

Published

7 months ago

July 7, 2025

Over 1,200 liability orders issued in a single day at record-breaking hearing

MORE than 1,200 Pembrokeshire households were hit with court orders on Monday (July 7) for non-payment of council tax, The Pembrokeshire Herald can reveal.

At Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, a total of 1,270 liability orders were granted to Pembrokeshire County Council in a single session – according to a justice source this is the most ever in a single day. The court heard complaints relating to 1,500 defendants — one of the largest mass enforcement actions ever.

With an estimated 48,200 homes in Pembrokeshire, the figures suggest that more than 1 in every 40 households faced court action for unpaid council tax on the same day.

Court records show:

1,270 orders were granted,
142 cases were withdrawn, and
85 accounts were marked as paid before the hearing.

The council was represented by officer Dafydd Thomas, who gave evidence under oath. The session was conducted under Regulation 34 of the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992.

Enforcement action expected

A liability order gives the council the legal power to take further steps to recover the debt, including:

Deducting money from wages or benefits,
Placing charging orders on property, or
Passing the case to bailiffs (enforcement agents).

The Herald has already reported on recent enforcement activity in Milford Haven, where vulnerable residents say they were threatened with forced entry by bailiffs — something that is not permitted under council tax law unless a specific legal process has been followed.

Council tax arrears at record levels

The court hearing follows recent Welsh Government figures revealing that council tax arrears across Wales now stand at £263 million, a 139% rise compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Pembrokeshire County Council was owed £8.75 million in unpaid council tax as of March 2025 — up from £8.38 million the previous year.

Finance Minister Mark Drakeford recently described current enforcement rules as “too aggressive” and confirmed that the Welsh Government is consulting on proposals to extend the period before court action from two weeks to two months.

Pembrokeshire County Council have been contacted for comment.

Bailiff powers — know your rights

Council tax is a priority debt, meaning non-payment can lead to court action and enforcement — but residents still have rights.

Bailiffs cannot break into a home to collect council tax unless they’ve previously been inside and signed a Controlled Goods Agreement. They cannot force entry on a first visit and must not enter if a vulnerable person is home alone.

If you are struggling to pay or have been contacted by a bailiff, you can:

Contact Pembrokeshire County Council directly to arrange a payment plan.
Ask about the Council Tax Reduction Scheme or discounts such as single person discount.
Get free help from Citizens Advice, StepChange, or National Debtline.
If you are vulnerable, request that the council recall the case and apply its vulnerability policy.

If you have received a court summons or have been contacted by an enforcement agent, The Pembrokeshire Herald would like to hear from you.
Contact the newsroom at [email protected]

Crime

OAP admits stalking woman with emails, posters and letters

Published

20 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAVERFORDWEST man has admitted stalking a woman by sending repeated unwanted emails, putting up posters and contacting third parties about her.

Michael Lockheart, aged 80, of Daisy Lane, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty to stalking.

The court heard that between July 27 and September 10 last year, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking and harassment against a female.

His behaviour included sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop contact, distributing defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to her GP and the local authority.

Lockheart admitted the offence, contrary to Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Sentencing was adjourned to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

He was granted conditional bail with strict restrictions. He must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly, including through third parties or social media, and must not enter any address where she lives.

Lockheart is due back before magistrates for sentence at 10:00am on Monday, March 9.

Crime

Pensioner back in court over persistent nuisance calls

Published

20 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A TEMPLETON pensioner has appeared before magistrates again after admitting repeatedly using the phone network to cause distress and inconvenience.

Ann Gateley, aged 79, of Chapel Hill Lane, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having already pleaded guilty to a communications offence.

The court heard that between November 24 and November 26 last year, at Templeton near Narberth, Gateley persistently made use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person.

She admitted the offence, contrary to Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing to a later date and granted conditional bail.

As part of her bail conditions, Gateley must not contact 999 unless there is a genuine emergency.

Gateley is well known to the courts and has appeared on numerous occasions over recent years for similar communications-related matters.

She will return to the magistrates’ court at 10:00am on Tuesday, February 17 for sentencing.

Crime

Man sent to Crown Court over heroin supply and £5,500 cash

Published

20 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A MAN with no fixed address has been remanded in custody accused of possessing heroin with intent to supply and holding thousands of pounds in suspected criminal cash.

Kieren Jones, aged 28, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9).

He is charged with possessing diamorphine, a Class A drug, with intent to supply it to two unknown persons in Carmarthen on Friday (Feb 7), contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Jones also faces a further allegation under the Proceeds of Crime Act that he acquired, used or possessed criminal property, namely £5,500 in cash, on the same date.

No pleas were entered at the hearing.

Because of the seriousness of the offences, magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to the Crown Court.

Bail was refused on the grounds that Jones was likely to offend, interfere with witnesses and fail to surrender to custody.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Swansea Crown Court, The Law Courts, St Helens Road, Swansea, for a plea and trial preparation hearing at 9:00am on Friday, March 13.

The custody time limit expires on August 10.