Crime

Former CCTV operator sentenced for coercive and controlling behaviour

Published

7 months ago

November 25, 2025

A FORMER Dyfed-Powys Police CCTV operator has been sentenced after admitting coercive and controlling behaviour and a data protection offence involving his ex-partner.

Russell Hasler, aged 42, from Llandysul, was arrested by officers from the force’s Professional Standards Department in October 2023. He resigned a month later. He was later charged with coercive and controlling behaviour, a data protection offence, and a computer misuse offence, although the latter was dropped from proceedings.

Hasler admitted the data protection breach but initially denied coercive and controlling behaviour. Two days before he was due to stand trial at Swansea Crown Court, he changed his plea to guilty.

Victim’s account

In a statement provided to the court, the victim described the severe and lasting impact of the abuse.

“There were times when the emotional pain, torment and relentlessness of the abuse became so overwhelming that I questioned whether I could carry on,” she said.

“The abuse has affected every part of our lives. The damage caused cannot be undone, and the pain we have endured is something we continue to live with every day.”

She added that she still experiences memory lapses, brain fog, intrusive thoughts and difficulties concentrating, as well as physical discomfort she believes is linked to chronic anxiety brought on by the prolonged abuse.

Sentence

On Monday (24 November), Hasler was handed a 17-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He must complete 180 hours of unpaid work, attend 20 rehabilitation activity days, and pay a £500 fine. A five-year restraining order was imposed.

‘A profound betrayal’

DC Simon Reynolds, from the Professional Standards Department, praised the victim’s courage and said the case represented a serious breach of trust.

“No one should feel frightened or controlled in their own lives, and I want to commend the victim for their courage in coming forward,” he said.

“Controlling and coercive behaviour has a devastating impact on its victims, and the fact that Russell Hasler was a police staff member at the time of offending, compounded by his breaching of Data Protection legislation, is a profound betrayal of the standards the public should rightly expect.

“This sentencing should help reassure the public that while such offending by police employees is uncommon, it is taken with the utmost seriousness by investigators.”

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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.