Crime

Haverfordwest man jailed for sadistic knife ordeal

Published

9 months ago

September 30, 2025

Victim told attacker had been paid to rape and kill her

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been jailed after subjecting his partner to a terrifying knife attack during which he claimed he had been paid to rape and kill her.

Mark Webber, 45, repeatedly threatened his victim with a kitchen knife, cutting her from her ear to her throat, and forcing her to believe she was about to die. Swansea Crown Court heard he told her it was her choice whether she suffered “an easy death or a hard death”.

Violence escalates

The court was told Webber had been in a relationship with the woman for only a month when the attack happened at her flat in Haverfordwest on May 31.

When she refused to fetch alcohol from the shop, Webber struck her in the face and later kicked her in the forehead while wearing shoes. He accused her of “being dramatic” before arming himself with a large kitchen knife, calling her a “lying rat” and a “grass”, and pulling her head back by her hair.

He then cut her face and throat with the blade before taunting her and telling her he had been paid £5,000 to kill her, with another £5,000 promised on completion – and even more if he raped her.

‘Brutal and sadistic’

Prosecutor Emily Bennett said Webber threatened to kill the woman if she called 999. Over the course of the night he headbutted, punched, strangled and terrorised her, at times pressing the knife to her throat.

Eventually, after he fell asleep, the woman managed to contact a friend from the bathroom, who raised the alarm.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told Webber: “You brutally and sadistically attacked a woman who was unfortunate enough to be involved in a brief relationship with you. She understandably thought she was going to die at your hands.”

Sentence

Webber, now of Market Street, Whitland, but originally from Haverfordwest, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, strangulation, and threatening a person with a knife in a private place.

The court heard he has 17 previous convictions for 26 offences, including domestic violence against former partners in 2008 and 2011.

Stuart John, defending, said Webber now recognised the “devastating” impact of his actions and hoped to tackle his issues with drugs and alcohol in custody.

Webber was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison. He must serve half behind bars before being released on licence, and was also made the subject of an indefinite restraining order banning contact with his victim.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

15 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

15 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.