Crime

Wolverhampton man jailed after trafficking cocaine into Pembroke Dock

Published

2 months ago

September 13, 2025

Court Reporter

Judge says defendant ‘let himself down’ after gambling debts led him into crime

A WOLVERHAMPTON man has been jailed for trafficking cocaine into Pembrokeshire after racking up heavy gambling debts.

Swansea Crown Court heard that police in Pembroke Dock stopped a Ford Transit van at around 2:45pm on June 27. Prosecutor Regan Walters said the vehicle had been flagged by ANPR cameras showing it had travelled from Wolverhampton the previous day.

Behind the wheel was 32-year-old Thomas Gore, the sole occupant. He admitted carrying a small quantity of cannabis, prompting officers to search the van.

Inside a rucksack hanging in the rear, police discovered 124 grams of cocaine of 89 per cent purity. They also seized £538.69 in cash and two iPhones. Gore had a further 3.5 grams of cannabis on him.

During interview, Gore denied owning the bag. He claimed he was paid £200 to transport it to Pembroke Dock to help clear gambling debts, insisting he had not checked what was inside.

Checks showed the van, which Gore had registered in February, had made five previous trips from the West Midlands to Pembrokeshire between February and May. Messages later retrieved from his phones linked him to deals worth £3,000 in March and another in June.

Walters told the court the cocaine haul had a street value of between £12,400 and £15,500.

Gore, of High Street, Wednesfield, pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply, possession of cannabis, and possession of criminal property.

The court was told he had seven prior convictions for 10 offences, but only minor drug matters from 2014 and 2015.

Defence barrister David Pinnell said Gore had stayed out of trouble for nearly a decade but was drawn back into crime when gambling debts spiralled. “He fell into a financial position where he owed a considerable amount of money,” Pinnell said.

Sentencing, Judge Huw Rees told Gore: “You have let yourself down.”

He imposed a three-year prison sentence. Walters confirmed that a Proceeds of Crime Act application would follow to recover any benefit Gore received from drug dealing.

Crime

Haverfordwest man fined for damaging car wing mirror

Published

15 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

15 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

15 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.