Crime

Driver caught with knife and four drugs in system

Published

9 months ago

September 30, 2025

Fifty-four-year-old sentenced after being stopped on A478 near Kilgetty

A 54-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced after being caught driving through Pembrokeshire in possession of a knife and with no fewer than four illegal drugs in his system.

Police officers were alerted to Simon Wayt’s standard of driving as he travelled along the A478 towards Kilgetty on the evening of March 31.

“Police observed his vehicle crossing over the central line and when the defendant was stopped at the Kilgetty roundabout, he was found to have a folding pocket knife in his trouser pocket,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan when Wayt appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

The knife had a blade exceeding 7.62 centimetres (three inches), placing it in the offensive weapon category.

Subsequent blood tests carried out at the police station showed Wayt had no fewer than four illegal drugs in his system: 480mcg of benzoyleconine, 25mcg of cocaine, 96mcg of ketamine and 36mcg of methylamphetamine.

Wayt, of Wentworth Crescent, Swansea, pleaded guilty to all five charges. He was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who said his client had been working in Rosemarket, near Neyland, at the time of the offence.

“He took substances before leaving his accommodation in Rosemarket that morning, and his drug abuse was recreational,” said Mr Lloyd. “But it becomes more pronounced when he’s working away from home.”

Wayt was sentenced to 24 weeks in custody, suspended for 18 months, and was disqualified from driving for 42 months. He must carry out ten rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £154 court surcharge.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

13 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

14 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.