Crime

Teenager avoids jail for Newgale crash that left campers injured

Published

12 months ago

July 11, 2025

A TEENAGER who crashed a car into a campsite in Newgale, injuring at least four people including a child’s mother, has been sentenced at Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, July 11).

Jack Thomas Hale of Simpsons Cross near Haverfordwest, now aged 19, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving following a late-night collision on August 12, 2023. He was 17 years old at the time and had passed his driving test only three weeks earlier.

The court heard Hale was behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta carrying five passengers—three in the back, and two in the front, with one sitting on the lap of another—when he lost control of the vehicle while approaching a bend on the A487 near Newgale.

The car veered off the road, flipped onto its side, and crashed into tents at the campsite. One tent contained a two-year-old child and another a small baby. Miraculously, neither child was injured, but three adults were seriously hurt and pinned by the vehicle. A doctor who was staying at the site provided immediate triage.

CCTV footage showed the vehicle travelling at 66mph on approach and still doing 55mph in a 30mph zone. Police found no mechanical defects.

Victim injuries

Oliver Copeland, 17, suffered broken vertebrae in his neck and underwent major surgery.
Paul Warburton sustained a dislocated hip, fractured clavicle, and rib injuries. He has PTSD and is unable to work.
Emma Lewis suffered third-degree burns, required skin grafts, and continues to face pain, trauma, and long-term limitations caring for her son.

The judge said: “You were driving at a highly inappropriate speed for that road and conditions—so fast you lost control and hit the kerb.” The car then “travelled over many tents,” he added, saying it was only “by luck and no thanks to your driving” that no one was killed.

Sentence
Despite the seriousness of the incident, Hale was spared immediate custody. He was sentenced to 20 months’ detention, suspended for 18 months. He must complete:

250 hours of unpaid community work
15 rehabilitation activity days
A 2-year driving disqualification, with an extended retest required.

The judge said the case fell within sentencing category A2 and initially warranted a four-year term due to the number of victims. However, this was reduced based on Hale’s age at the time, his guilty plea, genuine remorse, and the significant delay in the case reaching court.

Describing Hale as an “impressive young man,” the judge said: “You are at the start of your life. Your victims have aspirations too. Fortunately, they did not lose their lives—but you have affected them both physically and psychologically.”

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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.