Crime

Pembrokeshire man breaches order just two days after it was imposed

Published

8 months ago

September 10, 2025

Sarah Jane Absalom

Richard Atwell sent Instagram message to former partner despite court ban

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has admitted breaching a non-molestation order only two days after it was imposed by magistrates.

Richard Atwell, 33, of The Ridgeway, St Florence, was banned from contacting his former partner on June 24. However, on June 26 he sent her a message via Instagram.

“He’s ruined my life,” the victim said in a statement read to Haverfordwest magistrates.
“I don’t feel safe in my own home and I’m constantly looking over my shoulder to make sure he isn’t there. I’m really struggling to have any quality of life and I’m on edge every single day, waiting for him to show up. The anxiety that’s going through my body is horrendous… I’ve gone through so much stress as a result of Richard’s behaviour.”

Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher told the court the breach came about as Atwell tried to arrange the removal of his belongings from the former couple’s home.
“He had 24 hours to get out of the house and this caused him no end of difficulty,” he said. “He accepts that he contacted her, but this was because he was more concerned about vacating the property than anything else. The breach was simply sending messages. I do wonder whether the victim may be of a nervous disposition for her to be constantly looking over her shoulder.”

Magistrates imposed an 18-month community order requiring Atwell to complete 20 rehabilitation activity days, a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring programme and 75 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge. The non-molestation order remains in force.

Crime

Man used vulnerable victim’s bank card at Milford Haven Tesco

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2026

Court Reporter

A 41-YEAR-OLD man has been given a suspended prison sentence after using a vulnerable man’s bank card at Tesco Extra in Milford Haven.

Mark Anthony Hambrook, of Keeston, admitted fraud by false representation when he appeared before magistrates.

The court heard that Hambrook dishonestly used the card on April 29, 2025, spending £220.

Magistrates said the offence crossed the custody threshold because it involved a breach of trust, a vulnerable victim, and was committed while Hambrook was on post-sentence supervision.

He was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

Hambrook was also ordered to pay £220 compensation, together with a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Cilgerran man denies breaching court ban on keeping animals

Published

1 day ago

May 16, 2026

Court Reporter

39-year-old accused of keeping a dog despite court-imposed disqualification order dating back to 2019

A CILGERRAN man has denied breaching a court-imposed ban on keeping animals.

Max Huntley, 39, of Castell Corwg, Cilgerran, appeared before Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 14) for a further case management hearing.

He is accused of breaching a disqualification order imposed under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The court register states that Huntley was disqualified following conviction and sentence at Swansea Crown Court on March 14, 2019, for an offence under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act.

The allegation now before the court is that, on or about August 10, 2025, at Castell Corwg, Cilgerran, he breached that disqualification by having custody of a dog.

Huntley has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The case was adjourned to allow the prosecution to confirm details relating to the defendant and how a solicitor could contact him.

He was remanded on unconditional bail and must attend the next hearing at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 27, at 10:00am.

The hearing is listed for further case management and is expected to last around 20 minutes.