AN 84-year-old convicted Pembrokeshire sex offender faces another custodial sentence after breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed following his previous conviction.

On October 2, police officers discovered that Barry Hollingsworth, of Slade Park, Haverfordwest, was in possession of a new mobile phone. Despite being a registered sex offender and subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, Hollingsworth had failed to register the device with police as required.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court that further investigation revealed a text message from Vodafone confirming that Hollingsworth had requested a ‘pay-as-you-go’ SIM card for the phone.

Ms Vaughan described Hollingsworth as a persistent breacher of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order, noting that his last breach resulted in a 27-month custodial sentence.

This week he pleaded guilty to the latest breach, and the court was told that he now faces a further custodial term of at least 12 months.

Following submissions from both the Crown Prosecution Service and the court’s senior legal manager, Nathan Chapman, magistrates declined jurisdiction on sentencing. Hollingsworth will be sentenced by a judge at Swansea Crown Court on November 25.

He was released on unconditional bail.

A LONG-RUNNING row over dog noise in the small coastal village of Trefin has taken a new turn after a local woman admitted breaching a Community Protection Notice — while multiple other charges were dropped by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Julia Goodgame, aged 58, of Bryn Y Derwydd, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Nov 10) facing nine allegations of failing to keep her dogs under control, contrary to the terms of a Community Protection Notice (CPN) issued by the council in June.

The case, prosecuted by David Wheel of Welch & Co on behalf of the council, followed months of complaints from neighbours and a protest in the village earlier this year over what residents described as “constant barking” and “uncontrolled dogs”.

Residents’ frustration

In August, residents of Bryn Y Derwydd staged a small protest calling for stronger action, claiming that up to ten dogs were being kept at one property and that the noise had become intolerable.

One pensioner told The Herald they had been “kept awake for months”, while others complained of dogs roaming freely and fouling gardens.

Local councillor Neil Prior, who represents Llanrhian, said at the time that the situation had been “slow and frustrating” for all involved, adding that council officers, housing staff and police had been in discussion for over a year about possible enforcement.

Court proceedings

The council issued the CPN on June 17, requiring Ms Goodgame to keep her dogs under control and prevent excessive noise. She was later accused of breaching the notice on nine occasions between June 17 and July 15, with further allegations in July and September.

At Monday’s hearing, Ms Goodgame — who represented herself — pleaded guilty to one count, relating to June 20. The remaining eight counts were dismissed after the council offered no evidence.

Magistrates adjourned the case until December 11 for sentencing and to consider the council’s application for a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and costs.

Ongoing dispute

The case has divided opinion in Trefin, with some residents welcoming the prosecution and others calling for mediation and support rather than legal action.

The outcome of next month’s hearing will determine whether longer-term restrictions are imposed under the proposed CBO.

Victim taken to hospital as police close Charles Street for several hours

A NEYLAND man has been remanded in custody following a serious assault in Milford Haven at the weekend.

Benjamin Cullen, aged nineteen, of Gordon Parry Road, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Nov 10) charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm after an incident on Charles Street late on Saturday night (Nov 8).

The court heard that the victim, Nicholas Hammond, was taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.

Cullen did not formally enter a plea.

The case was committed to Swansea Crown Court, where he is due to appear on Monday, November 24.

He was remanded in custody after magistrates heard details of his previous record and concerns that he may offend or interfere with witnesses if released on bail.

A second man, aged thirty-six, was also arrested in connection with the incident and has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Police and ambulance crews attended the scene at around 11:30pm on Charles Street, which remained closed for several hours during the investigation.