Crime

Wolverhampton man jailed after trafficking cocaine into Pembroke Dock

Published

8 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

Crymych parent denies failing to comply with school attendance order

Published

1 hour ago

May 1, 2026

Court Reporter

A CRYMYCH parent has denied failing to comply with a school attendance order, a court has heard.

The defendant appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged under the Education Act 1996.

The court heard that the defendant is accused of failing, as a parent, to ensure that a child attended school in accordance with the requirements of a School Attendance Order.

It is alleged that after being served with the order, the defendant did not comply within the required 15-day period.

A plea of not guilty was entered.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 14.

A reporting restriction remains in force.

Crime

Cockle fisherman fined £3,450 for multiple breaches at protected site

Published

1 hour ago

May 1, 2026

Court Reporter

A GOODWICK man has been ordered to pay £3,450 after breaching fishing regulations at a protected cockle fishery.

Richard William Edwards, 45, of Goodwick, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged with a series of offences at the Burry Inlet cockle fishery.

The court heard that Edwards had fished for cockles without a valid permit and breached conditions imposed under fisheries management rules. He was also found to have used an unauthorised vehicle in the fishery area, contrary to restrictions in place to protect the site.

Magistrates were told the offences took place on September 9, 2025, within the Burry Inlet Cockle Fishery, a designated and regulated area subject to strict controls.

Edwards was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a victim services surcharge of £800, along with costs of £650, bringing the total to £3,450. A collection order was made.

The case was brought under fisheries legislation including the Cockle Fisheries Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024.

The court heard that Edwards had been in breach of a prohibition imposed by the permitting system and had failed to comply with the terms of his permit.

The offences are part of ongoing enforcement efforts to protect the sustainability of cockle stocks and ensure compliance within the fishery.

Crime

Hakin woman handed five-year behaviour order over household waste

Published

1 hour ago

May 1, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAKIN woman has been made subject to a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order after repeated problems involving household waste outside her home.

Marie James, 47, of John Lewis Street, Hakin, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates after being convicted of offences linked to accumulated rubbish at her address.

The court heard that James had failed to remove all refuse and household waste from 36 John Lewis Street, Hakin, in Milford Haven.

Magistrates imposed a Criminal Behaviour Order which will remain in force for five years.

Under the terms of the order, James must not engage in conduct causing alarm or distress to others within the perimeter of her address in Hakin. She is also prohibited from keeping, storing or accumulating household waste at the property.

The order further prevents her from keeping or storing household waste at an associated address in Milford Haven.

No order for costs was made due to limited means.

James was represented in court by Steve Wrobe