Crime

Man given two-year Criminal Behaviour Order after noise complaints case

Published

5 months ago

November 23, 2025

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been handed a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order after a series of allegations that he breached a community protection notice by creating unreasonable noise at his home.

Paul Richard McNally, aged sixty-two, of Laws Street, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Nov 19) for seven linked charges of failing to comply with a community protection notice. The notice required him to prevent loud or offensive noise, including shouting and aggressive language, from causing a nuisance to neighbours.

Multiple charges dismissed

McNally had previously pleaded not guilty to six of the alleged breaches, said to have taken place between February and June this year in Pembroke Dock.

At Wednesday’s hearing, magistrates dismissed all six charges after no evidence was offered by Pembrokeshire County Council, which had brought the prosecution.

An application by the council to introduce bad-character evidence was also withdrawn.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “Following multiple complaints to the council, officers used The NoiseApp and professional sound-monitoring equipment to gather evidence of McNally repeatedly banging and shouting expletives whenever his neighbour carried out normal daily tasks, such as running taps or flushing the toilet.

The persistent shouting and thumping on the ceiling caused the tenant significant alarm and distress.

A Community Protection Warning (CPW) was issued, directing McNally not to create excessive noise or verbally abuse other tenants. Despite this, the behaviour continued and further evidence was obtained.

The council then served a Community Protection Notice (CPN) under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, again requiring him to stop. However, the nuisance persisted, and the authority brought a prosecution for breaching the CPN.

Magistrates fined McNally £162 and ordered him to pay a £65 victim surcharge and £1,000 in costs to Pembrokeshire County Council. A Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) was also imposed to prevent any further noise or abusive conduct. Any breach of the CBO will be referred back to the court and could result in a custodial sentence.

Cllr Jacob Williams said: “A Community Protection Notice is a formal legal measure councils can use to deal with nuisance behaviour that has a serious impact on people’s quality of life.

“Unfortunately, the CPN in this case was ignored, leaving the authority with no option but to pursue the matter through the courts. The conviction – and the significant costs imposed – could have been avoided had the notice been complied with.”

Guilty plea to April incident

However, McNally changed his plea to guilty on a separate charge relating to an incident on April 5.

Magistrates imposed a Criminal Behaviour Order lasting until November 2027. The order prohibits McNally from shouting aggressively at neighbours, using foul or offensive language towards them, or creating unreasonable noise from his property, including banging or slamming doors in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

He must also stay in regular contact with supervising officers Rachel Stevenson-Thomas and Steve Morbey, and notify them of any change of address.

Fines and costs

McNally was fined £162. He must also pay a £65 victim services surcharge and £1,000 in prosecution costs. A collection order was made, with the court indicating that deductions from benefits may be applied. The total of £1,227 must be paid by December 19.

The court noted that his guilty plea was taken into account when sentencing.

Crime

70-year-old denies assault and restraining order breach

Published

15 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

A PENSIONER from Pembroke Dock has denied breaching a restraining order and assaulting another man.

Henry Howlett, 70, of Market Street, appeared before Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, May 1), charged with breaching a restraining order and common assault.

The charges relate to an alleged incident on November 9 last year.

Howlett has previously appeared before magistrates in connection with a separate alleged incident involving a neighbour.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court previously heard that a dispute arose on July 17 after neighbour Steven Bromhall was washing his car outside his home in Market Street.

Prosecutor Nia James told the court that, as a taxi arrived to collect Howlett, the driver opened the window while passing and Mr Bromhall inadvertently sprayed the taxi driver with water from a hosepipe.

“The taxi driver started remonstrating, and the defendant then began waving his walking stick in the air, towards Mr Bromhall,” she said.

The court heard Mr Bromhall sustained an injury to his back, although it remained unclear whether he had been struck by Howlett’s stick.

Howlett pleaded not guilty to common assault in relation to that incident and was released on unconditional bail. A trial date was set at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

At Swansea Crown Court today, His Honour Judge P H Thomas KC asked Howlett whether he was legally represented.

“I can’t find anyone decent, I’m still searching, my lord,” Howlett replied.

When the court attempted to take his pleas, Howlett repeatedly interrupted in an effort to give an explanation, prompting the judge to tell him: “Be quiet, Mr Howlett.”

Howlett then pleaded not guilty to the charges, telling the court: “Definitely not guilty.”

As he left the courtroom, Howlett said: “I will get the truth out and I hope you all hang your heads in shame… this is all fixed.”

A trial date was set for January 14, 2027.

Crime

Crymych parent denies failing to comply with school attendance order

Published

16 hours 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

16 hours 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.