Crime

Domestic violence offender arrested after 23 years of abuse

Published

6 months ago

August 13, 2025

A HIGH-RISK domestic violence perpetrator who has subjected his partner to more than two decades of extreme physical and emotional abuse has been arrested at a caravan park in Penally.

Christopher Lawrence, 41, was detained on Tuesday morning (Aug 12) after his partner made a silent 999 call to police. He was brought before Haverfordwest magistrates just five hours later.

Dyfed-Powys Police described Lawrence as “a very dangerous and violent man” and said custody was the only safe option.

“The victim was clearly asking for help, but she doesn’t follow it through because she’s fearful of him,” a police spokesperson said. “The fact that she made that 999 call this week says a lot.”

Police said the victim has endured a catalogue of abuse over 23 years, including numerous strangulations and punches, repeated threats to kill, and an incident in which Lawrence falsely imprisoned her in a van for 24 hours.

The latest incident happened at the Oasis Caravan Park, Penally. Just two weeks earlier, Llanelli magistrates had issued a domestic violence protection order banning Lawrence from contacting the victim.

“Officers received the 999 call from the victim’s mobile, and it was a silent call,” police said. “When they arrived, they could see the victim through a bedroom window, with Christopher Lawrence alongside her.”

As the woman left the bedroom, Lawrence climbed into an ottoman under the bed in an attempt to evade arrest. Officers’ entry to the caravan was delayed by an aggressive dog, which the victim eventually secured, allowing police to get inside.

Lawrence was arrested and charged with breaching the protection order. In a police interview, the victim alleged he had assaulted her twice in the past fortnight.

“‘I’m scared physically and emotionally,” she told officers. “I’m afraid of what he’ll do when he gets out.”

Magistrates remanded Lawrence in custody for two months and ordered him to pay £285 in court costs.

Crime

Pembroke Dock woman admits breaching community order

Published

60 minutes ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Magistrates revoke sentence after missed appointments

A PEMBROKE DOCK woman has admitted breaching the terms of a community order.

Shannon Charge, aged 30, of Pater Court, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

She admitted failing to attend a scheduled probation appointment and a drug dependency appointment.

Magistrates revoked the existing community order and ordered her to pay £60 in court costs.

The court heard the order related to earlier offences, for which she had been made subject to rehabilitation and drug treatment requirements. A further review hearing is listed for March 2.

Crime

Milford Haven man given extra unpaid work after breaching court order

Published

1 hour ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Magistrates add hours after missed appointments

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been ordered to complete extra unpaid work after breaching the terms of a community order.

Peter Jones, aged 33, of Precelly Place, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

He admitted failing to attend scheduled unpaid work and a probation appointment earlier this month.

Magistrates varied the order, imposing an additional 10 hours of unpaid work. Jones was also ordered to pay £60 in court costs.

The court heard the original community order followed an earlier conviction.

Crime

Dorset man stopped at Fishguard ferry given domestic violence order

Published

1 hour ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Magistrates told of 13 prior incidents as protection order imposed

A DORSET man was stopped by police at Fishguard Harbour while attempting to travel to Ireland and has now been made subject to a Domestic Violence Protection Order.

Nathaniel Cruickshank, aged 22, of Gillingham, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

The court heard he had travelled to Pembrokeshire on January 30 and was intercepted at the ferry port while planning to board a sailing to Ireland with his partner, prompting police intervention.

Magistrates were told Cruickshank has a lengthy history of domestic violence and abusive behaviour, with officers having attended 13 separate incidents involving him.

Prosecutors outlined a number of previous allegations, including an incident in which he punched his mother in the face and another where he smashed a family television with a guitar after being refused money.

The court also heard that on January 29 a protected person attended their GP surgery expressing fear of him, triggering safeguarding measures.

Police subsequently served a Domestic Violence Protection Notice, and Cruickshank was later arrested at Fishguard.

Magistrates granted a 28-day Domestic Violence Protection Order preventing him from threatening or using violence, making any direct or indirect contact with the protected person, or returning to her address.

Issuing a warning in court, magistrates told him any breach would have serious consequences.

Cruickshank was ordered to pay £284 in costs to Dyfed-Powys Police.