News
Youth went psycho on synthetic cocaine


Ethylphenidate: Now a class B drug.
A DANGEROUS legal high changed the behaviour of a youth in a Jekyll and Hyde case, which has highlighted the risks of using test chemicals to get high. On Tuesday (Dec 16), a Haverfordwest youth was sent to prison for twelve months after he pleaded guilty to a series of offences whilst ‘off his head’. The youth, who cannot be named because he is not yet eighteen, had, according to his solicitor, developed an addiction to a class B drug which had caused him to behave ‘in an appalling manner’. The drug in question, Ethylphenidate, is the same chemical which was being sold from Pembs PC in Haverfordwest by the now ex-boss Al Firth, and his partner in crime, Daniel Cobbinah. They will be sentenced on January 16.
Prosecuting this case, Ellie Morgan said: “This boy went to Wilkinson’s store and stole a bottle of aftershave. “Later, in the early hours of the next morning, he entered a woman’s property and stole various items of food from a freezer.” The prosecutor explained how in the early hours of October 18, the defendant was in his partner’s flat high on drugs, paranoid and hallucinating. Ms Morgan added: “The couple had an argument and she said she was going to throw the drugs away. She then went to bed, but at 12:45am he woke her and started shouting in a paranoid way. She came to the decision that she wanted to leave to go stay with a friend.
She picked up her stuff but he has said to her ‘you’re not taking it’.” The court heard how he then grabbed her bag and ripped it from her. The boy went crazy and hit her three times with the bag to her head. Ms Morgan then explained to the bench how the defendant “then went psycho at her and smacked her flat out to the left side of her face.” She added: “The victim looked at him and could see that his eyes were massive, red and looked evil. She ran out of the property and knocked on a neighbour’s door. The police were called. As a result of the attack she had bruising to her arms and face.”
But this was not the end of the matter. Later on, the youth entered the property through a small window, where he slashed clothes and damaged a washing machine and hoover. He also stole items. The overall cost of all the damaged and missing items, according to the CPS was around £1500.
The court heard the reason given for the behaviour by seventeen-yearold was “because you p****d me off, I was off my f*****g head on drugs.” The youth was arrested after a further incident at an address in Merlin’s Bridge. The court heard he tried to run away, and police used a Taser to apprehend him. After being stunned, he had a ‘seizure’ and was taken to Withybush Hospital – but he managed to escape from custody not once, but twice.
The CPS explained: “He was eventually caught and arrested for these matters on Wednesday, November 12”. Defending, James Subbiani said: “Unfortunately, in the last few months he has developed an addiction to this drug and it has caused him to behave in an appalling manner. This is not indicative of the person I have known for some time. The high, known as Ethylphenidate, is behind all of these offences. He has been stealing items to sell to fund his addiction.”
Mr Subbiani tried in vain to persuade the Magistrates against sending him to prison and instead give him a high level youth rehabilitation order. However, the bench did not agree and he was sentenced to four months for the assault, another four months for the burglary and a final four months for escaping custody. The chairman of the bench said: “Prison is the only option.”
News
Emergency services respond to person in water at Milford Haven

EMERGENCY services were called to Milford Haven in the early hours of Friday morning (May 24) after reports of a person in difficulty in the water near Smokehouse Quay.
The incident was reported at around 12:50am, with the individual said to be floating on their back approximately 50 metres from the quay wall. Police officers were first on the scene and began efforts to reach the person.
Angle RNLI was tasked and the crew were preparing to launch when a stand-down message was received just eight minutes later, confirming that the individual had been successfully recovered and was in the care of police officers.
Dale Coastguard Rescue Team also attended the incident. No further assistance was required and the RNLI crew returned to station shortly after 1:15am.
Community
Public invited to explore Pembroke Port at Open Day and Stakeholder Meeting

MEMBERS of the public are being invited to go behind the scenes at Pembroke Port as part of a special Open Day and Annual Stakeholder Meeting hosted by the Port of Milford Haven.
The event will take place on Wednesday, 18 June, at Catalina House, Pembroke Dock (SA72 6JD), offering a unique opportunity to discover the inner workings of one of Wales’ busiest ports.
Running from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, the Open Day will include guided bus tours around the site, giving visitors a rare, close-up look at port operations and activities across the facility. Port staff, local business representatives, and partners from across the supply chain will also be on hand to discuss their work and answer questions.
From 6:00pm to 7:30pm, the Port’s Annual Stakeholder Meeting will be held, where attendees will hear updates from the Chair and Chief Executive, meet members of the Board and senior management, and take part in a Q&A session. Questions can be submitted in advance via email to [email protected].
Throughout the day, visitors can explore the wide-ranging roles of the Port of Milford Haven – from commercial marine services and energy sector support to community initiatives and leisure activities. A number of external organisations will also be present, including emergency services, marine experts, and conservation groups highlighting Pembrokeshire’s diverse wildlife.
Crime
Milford Haven mother sentenced over shocking neglect case

Faeces on walls, maggots in bedding: Judge brands home ”a pigsty’
A PEMBROKESHIRE mother has avoided an immediate prison sentence after admitting to neglecting her children in a home described by a judge as “appalling”.
The woman – who cannot be named to protect the identity of her children – appeared before Swansea Crown Court on two counts of wilful child neglect. The court heard that the conditions inside the family’s Milford Haven property were so dire that social services deemed it unfit for habitation.
The case came to light after repeated concerns were raised by the children’s schools, who had flagged ongoing issues with hygiene and wellbeing dating back to 2019. Prosecutor Ryan Bowen told the court that teachers noted a persistent foul smell, dirty fingernails, unwashed lunchboxes, and children frequently arriving at school tired and without sufficient food.
In one disturbing incident, a child told a teacher they were unable to sleep due to maggots in their bed. Another was seen using a mouldy towel after swimming lessons. When asked to describe their home, the children said their mother could not enter their bedrooms because of the mess.
On June 14 last year, officers from Pembrokeshire County Council visited the property following a school referral. What they discovered was described as appalling: faeces smeared on walls and floors upstairs, rubbish and flies in the children’s rooms, and a fridge full of expired food. A broken washing machine blocked the dining room.
Social workers instructed the family to temporarily move in with relatives. However, a follow-up inspection revealed little had changed, and the mother was subsequently arrested.
During police interview, she admitted the situation had deteriorated, claiming she had become “nose-blind” to the smell and had “put her head in the sand like an ostrich”.
Hannah George, defending, said her client was deeply ashamed and had taken steps to improve her situation following the loss of a close family member. The court was told the mother, who is in her thirties and has no previous convictions, had engaged with social services, mental health teams, and completed several parenting courses.
Although she no longer has custody of her children, social services are planning a phased return under supervision.
Judge Paul Thomas KC condemned the conditions as “a pigsty” and handed the woman a 21-month sentence, suspended for two years. She must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work and attend 30 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days.
-
News4 hours ago
Emergency services respond to person in water at Milford Haven
-
Crime17 hours ago
Milford Haven mother sentenced over shocking neglect case
-
News18 hours ago
Derelict Pembrokeshire Roch Gate Motel to be redeveloped
-
Crime2 days ago
Two men bailed by police following sudden death in Pembroke Dock
-
Advertorial18 hours ago
Bank Holiday bargains on offer at The Bay Furniture Company
-
Business2 days ago
£21.2m investment in Port Talbot regeneration to create hundreds of jobs
-
Entertainment1 day ago
Four days of folk music fill Fishguard and Goodwick
-
Crime1 day ago
Man denies charges over death of baby girl in Tenby car park tragedy