Crime

Lover’s tiff leads to drink-drive ban for Milford man

Published

7 months ago

December 2, 2025

A MILFORD HAVEN motorist has been banned from the road after driving away from a domestic argument while over the legal drink-drive limit.

Christopher Devonald was stopped by police after officers received reports that he had left a property in Llanelli following a verbal altercation with his partner.

“He left her property after consuming alcohol,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week. “Officers were told to be aware of the vehicle, and they located it on the A477 travelling westbound.”

Police observed the vehicle swerving across the carriageway and travelling at excessive speeds. It was eventually brought to a halt on Neyland Road, Steynton, after officers deployed a Stinger device to puncture the tyres.

A roadside breath test proved positive, and subsequent tests at the police station showed Devonald had 66mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

Devonald pleaded guilty to the offence and was represented in court by solicitor Alex Scott.

“He was staying with his partner of eighteen months, but on the night in question they’d had a verbal argument and, in order to cool off, he left,” said Mr Scott. “He jumped in his partner’s car, which he is generally entitled to drive as the second named driver on the insurance. But on this occasion, he took the car after consuming alcohol.”

Magistrates disqualified Devonald from driving for 17 months. He was fined £406 and ordered to pay a £162 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

4 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

4 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.