Crime

Suspended sentence activated after man fails to attend probation

Published

2 months ago

September 12, 2025

Court Reporter

Offender previously convicted of TV theft, drug production and assaulting officer

A HAVERFORDWEST man who failed to comply with the terms of his suspended sentence has been sent to prison.

Darren Richard Markes, aged 46, of Cartlett House, was sentenced in his absence at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (September 11) after admitting breaching a community requirement of his suspended sentence.

The court was told Markes had failed to attend an unpaid work appointment on November 11 last year, missed a planned office appointment the following day, and had not made contact with his responsible officer since November 6.

The original suspended sentence, imposed on December 12, 2023, covered five offences committed in Haverfordwest over the previous months.

On November 24, 2023, Markes stole a 55-inch television worth £399 from Tesco. On the same day, while at Haverfordwest Custody Unit, he failed to provide a specimen of breath to police officers investigating a possible driving offence.

He had also previously been convicted of producing 86 grammes of cannabis on August 23, 2023, and of assaulting an emergency worker on the same day—PC 915 Jones, a police officer acting in the course of his duties.

Markes was originally handed multiple suspended sentences totalling 12 weeks, all suspended for 18 months.

However, after admitting the breach, magistrates imposed a custodial sentence of 10 weeks—combining consecutive and concurrent terms from the original suspended order.

Markes was not present in court for the hearing, but had legal representation from solicitor Mike Kelleher. A warrant for his arrest had been issued previously but was withdrawn when the matter was dealt with.

Crime

Haverfordwest man fined for damaging car wing mirror

Published

11 hours ago

November 12, 2025

Court Reporter

Victim later retracted statement, court hears

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been fined after admitting to damaging a car wing mirror belonging to a woman in the town earlier this year.

Luke Owen, 33, of Wayside Close, Simpson Cross, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Nov 12), where he pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

The court heard that on May 7, 2025, Owen damaged the wing mirror of a black Peugeot 2008.

Prosecutor Sian Vaughan said the damage was minor, and a victim personal statement was not presented to the court as the complainant had since retracted it.

Owen, represented by Mike Kelleher of Welch & Co Solicitors, was fined £40.

He was also ordered to pay £20 in compensation, £85 in prosecution costs, and a £16 victim surcharge.

Magistrates allowed the fine to be deducted from Owen’s benefits.

Crime

Whitland woman’s no-insurance charge discontinued

Published

11 hours ago

November 12, 2025

Court Reporter

A WHITLAND woman accused of aiding another person to drive without insurance has had her case discontinued at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

Louise Mary Hook, 52, of Compton House, Llanfallteg, was alleged to have aided and abetted Christopher Rone in using a Fiat Ducato van without insurance on High Street, Narberth, on May 15.

The prosecution claimed that Hook had encouraged or permitted Rone to drive the vehicle when no valid insurance policy was in force.

However, when the case came before magistrates on Tuesday (Nov 12), the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that the matter had been discontinued and no further action would be taken.

Crime

Milford Haven man fined for abusive behaviour on Mount Estate

Published

11 hours ago

November 12, 2025

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been given a year-long community order and banned from contacting his former partner after admitting to a week-long campaign of harassment.

Liam Whatling, 30, of Belfrey Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Nov 12) charged with harassment without violence, contrary to Section 2 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Between August 5 and August 12 this year, Whatling bombarded a female with numerous messages and attended her address on one occasion.

He pleaded guilty at the first hearing, with the court taking his early plea into account during sentencing.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order requiring Whatling to complete up to 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

A restraining order lasting until November 11, 2026, was also imposed. Under its terms, Whatling must not contact the woman directly or indirectly, except through a solicitor or social services representative when seeking access to his child. He is also prohibited from entering within 100 metres of any address where she lives or posting any content online referring to her.

The case was prosecuted by Sian Vaughan for CPS Wales (South West), with Mike Kelleher representing the defence.