News

Haverfordwest: Synthetic cocaine pair sentenced

Published

11 years ago

January 17, 2015

Admitted offences: Pleas were changed at the last minute

TWO Pembrokeshire men who continued to deal in a “legal high” even after it had been classified as illegal have been sentenced today at Swansea Crown Court.

Kevin Firth, who once ran the Pembs PC computer shops in Haverfordwest and Pembroke, and Daniel Cobbinah had been due to stand trial before a jury charged with possessing APB, a drug incorporating benzofuran, with intent to supply, but changed their pleas to guilty at the last moment.

Robin Rouch, prosecuting, said the men began dealing when APB was considered to be a “legal high.” But in June, 2013, the Home Office placed the drug on a prohibited list making it a class B drug, “and they would have known immediately about the ban.”

They may have continued to deal the synthetic cocaine, added Mr Rouch, partly because of the investment they had made in expensive machinery to produce it.

Today’s ruling included the confiscation of a sophisticated pill press found at a company called Pier Engineering.

Mr Rouch said police searched Cobbinah’s home at Flat 5, 15 High Street, Haverfordwest, and found a black bag in a bedroom containing the ingredients necessary to make APB.

He said it was difficult to estimate the value of the drug, but it could have been as high as £3,500.

They also found another high known as Diet Coke, which was still legal, plus weighing scales.

Mr Rouch said at Firth’s home at The Green, Tenby, officers found a stainless steel funnel which could be connected with the pill making machine.

Firth, he added, had spent sometime in jail after his arrest as he was recalled to prison for previous drug related offending.

Judge Paul Thomas said he accepted that at some stage APB had been considered legal.

But he warned Firth, aged 45, and Cobbinah, 43, that when people became involved in the supply of drugs “things happen to them.”

Firth and Cobbinah were made the subject of 12 month community orders. Firth was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work for the community and Cobbinah 80 hours.

Both will also pay £60 government surcharges.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

6 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of serious allegations following his appearance in the latest magistrates’ court register.

David Guy, 49, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared in court facing multiple charges, all of which have now been deemed too serious for summary trial.

Multiple charges listed in register

The new magistrates’ register shows Guy charged with several offences arising from the same case file. Although individual charge descriptions were not expanded in open court, the register confirms the allegations include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second assault charge
Criminal damage
A further interpersonal violence allegation
A public order offence

All entries relate to the same incident and prosecution reference, presented as a multi-count case.

Defendant remanded into custody

Magistrates ruled that their sentencing powers were insufficient and sent the entire case to Swansea Crown Court for trial.

Guy was remanded in custody, with the register stating: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A hearing date will now be fixed administratively by the Crown Court. Until then, Guy remains remanded.

The Herald will provide updates once the Crown Court listing is confirmed.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

12 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string of alleged offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, 40, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, faces six linked charges arising from incidents reported to have taken place earlier this year. Alcock, who did not enter pleas during the administrative hearings, appeared on several occasions as the court dealt with bail issues and case management.

Multiple assault allegations
The charges listed before magistrates include:
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional strangulation
Common assault of a woman
Criminal damage relating to a domestic incident
Further assault allegations linked to the same complainant
A breach of bail conditions

The court heard that Alcock had previously been granted conditional bail. However, he was brought back before magistrates twice during the same reporting period for alleged breaches of those conditions, resulting in updated bail decisions.

Bail breached — defendant remanded

On two separate entries in the court register, Alcock was listed as having breached his bail, leading magistrates to remand him into custody pending the next hearing. On other dates within the same week, he was again re-released on conditional bail, with strict terms imposed, including restrictions on contact with the complainant and exclusions from certain locations.

He is now remanded on conditional bail with his next appearance set for Swansea Crown Court, where the more serious matters — including the alleged non-fatal strangulation — will be dealt with.

Case sent to Crown Court

Magistrates directed that the case is too serious to be heard locally and must proceed to the Crown Court for trial or sentence.

The Herald understands that all listed charges fall under the same prosecution reference, indicating they form part of a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution. No further details were opened in court at this stage.

Crime

Rogue roofer conned homeowner out of thousands

Published

28 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Caerphilly investigation leads to court conviction

A ROGUE trader from Pembroke has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after duping a homeowner into handing over thousands for unnecessary roofing work.

Douggie Whitbread, aged twenty-five and living at Coldwell Terrace, Pembroke, persuaded his victim that he “probably needed a new roof” before charging £4,350 for work that was either unnecessary or not carried out properly.

Whitbread admitted two counts of fraud relating to a property on Griffiths Street, Ystrad Mynach, with the offences taking place between August 12 and October 16, 2023.

He appeared before Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court, where he was ordered to pay a total of £6,130. That includes £4,350 in compensation, £1,500 in prosecution costs, a £200 fine, and an £80 victim surcharge.

The case was brought following an investigation by Caerphilly Trading Standards, who urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited offers of home maintenance work.