A MILFORD HAVEN mother who cannot be named to protect her child has been handed a community order after admitting a child cruelty offence.

She appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 10), where she pleaded guilty to causing or allowing a child to be assaulted, ill-treated, neglected, abandoned or exposed in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health.

The offence took place on March 12, 2025, at her home address.

The charge was brought under section 1(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.

Magistrates imposed a community order lasting until August 9, 2027. The order includes 120 hours of unpaid work and up to 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

She was also made subject to a 90-day alcohol abstinence and monitoring requirement, running until May 10, 2026.

She was ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge, to be recovered through deductions from benefits.

A direction under section 45 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 was made, protecting the identity of the child involved.

The case was later listed at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Feb 20) in relation to an application to reopen the matter.

Union calls for stronger protection as shoplifting and violence surge

RETAIL workers across Wales are continuing to face alarming levels of abuse, threats and violence, according to new figures released today (Wednesday, Mar 18) by trade union Usdaw.

The union’s annual survey of 478 Welsh retail staff paints a stark picture of life on the shop floor, with incidents of abuse and intimidation remaining significantly higher than before the Covid pandemic.

The findings show that in 2025:

• 71% of workers experienced verbal abuse
• 40% were threatened
• 4% were physically assaulted

The report comes amid a sharp rise in shoplifting, which Usdaw says has more than doubled since the pandemic, contributing to an increasingly hostile environment for retail staff.

Workers responding to the survey described a catalogue of disturbing incidents, including threats of violence, sexual harassment, and physical attacks.

One worker reported being threatened after refusing a refund on a used item, while another described being subjected to explicit sexual remarks. Others recounted being pushed, having items thrown at them, or even being threatened with weapons.

In one case, a worker said they had been “punched, spat at, had a basket thrown at them and threatened with a knife,” while another described being followed and threatened by a group of youths after refusing a sale due to lack of identification.

Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas said the testimonies highlight a growing crisis facing shop workers.

She said: “It is difficult to read these accounts, but regrettably they are all too common. Nearly four in five retail workers are now experiencing violence, threats or abuse.

“No-one should feel afraid to go to work. Retail workers provide an essential service and deserve both respect and proper protection under the law.”

The union has welcomed proposals within the UK Government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which include stronger protections for shop workers, the removal of the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifting offences, and new powers such as Respect Orders for offenders.

Thomas added that progress is being made after years of campaigning, but criticised opposition parties for resisting the proposed measures.

She said: “It is encouraging that governments in both Cardiff Bay and Westminster are beginning to listen. However, it is difficult to understand why some opposition parties continue to oppose laws designed to protect retail staff.”

Across the UK, Usdaw’s wider survey of nearly 9,000 retail workers found the problem is even more widespread, with 78% reporting verbal abuse, 54% threats, and 11% assaults in 2025—figures all higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Usdaw’s Freedom from Fear campaign continues to push for greater protections, urging the public, employers and government to take action to tackle what it describes as an escalating crisis on Britain’s shop floors.

Haverfordwest man told police “women won’t have sex without force”

A HAVERFORDWEST man who raped a woman and a young boy and attempted to rape a child has been jailed for more than 21 years.

Talha Ahmadzai, aged 33, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Mar 16) after admitting a series of serious sexual and violent offences committed in February last year.

The offences involved three victims — a woman, a girl and a boy.

Ahmadzai pleaded guilty to three counts of rape, rape of a child under 13, attempted rape of a child under 13, causing a child to watch a sexual act, assault by beating, and cruelty to a person under 16.

The court imposed an extended sentence of 21 years and seven months, comprising 19 years and seven months in custody followed by a two-year licence period. He must serve at least two-thirds of the custodial term before he can be considered for release by the Parole Board.

An indefinite restraining order was also imposed, banning him from any contact with his victims.

Shocking remarks to police

Following his arrest, Ahmadzai initially claimed the allegations had been fabricated. During police interview, he told officers: “Women won’t have sex without force.”

He also questioned the authority of the UK courts, stating that the acts he was accused of “were not offences in his country.”

“Catalogue of abhorrent offending”

Sentencing, Judge Huw Rees described Ahmadzai’s actions as a “catalogue of abhorrent offending of the utmost seriousness.”

The court heard he had been “sexually preoccupied for a long time” and held “entrenched views,” with a pre-sentence report concluding he posed a high risk to the public.

Ahmadzai, who appeared via video link from a psychiatric hospital, has no previous convictions.

In mitigation, defence barrister David Singh said his client had committed “appalling offences of the most serious type” and suggested his behaviour followed a “psychotic episode,” for which he has since received treatment.

Police praise victims’ bravery

Detective Inspector Sarah Totterdale, of North Pembrokeshire CID, said: “Ahmadzai is clearly an incredibly dangerous and cruel individual, and the sentence he has received reflects this.

“I would like to commend the bravery and dignity shown by his victims, who courageously gave their evidence of their horrendous ordeals. To do so and relive their experience must have been incredibly traumatic.

“Thanks to their evidence, and the hard work of our detectives, we were able to secure this result and ensure he is no longer a danger to the public.”

Deportation to be considered

Judge Rees said the case would be referred to the Home Office to consider Ahmadzai’s deportation following completion of his sentence.

Dyfed-Powys Police said support is available for anyone affected by rape or sexual violence, and urged victims to come forward.