Crime

Crack addiction ‘took over’ life of Pembroke Dock man, court hears

Published

7 months ago

December 2, 2025

Knife found in his pocket as he breached community order

A PEMBROKESHIRE man whose life has been “taken over” by a crack cocaine addiction has been jailed after being found with a kitchen knife in a public place.

Graham Watson, 54, was arrested shortly after midnight on November 16 following reports that he had been seen hitting his head against a wall in Albion Square, Pembroke Dock. When officers searched him, they discovered a black-handled kitchen knife in his pocket, which Watson claimed he had found on the road.

Further enquiries revealed that Watson, who is of no fixed abode, was also in breach of an 18-month community order imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates for offences of offering to supply cannabis to his ex-partner and harassment. The order required him to attend regular probation appointments, but since it was imposed he had failed to attend a single one.

This week he pleaded guilty to breaching the community order and possessing a bladed article in a public place.

He was represented in court by solicitor Alex Scott.

“What lies at the heart of his offending?” Mr Scott asked magistrates. “It’s a crack cocaine addiction which has taken over his life. He was recently evicted from his home in Monkton and he accepts, wholeheartedly, that he’s struggling with his drug abuse. But there is some recognition that he needs rehabilitation to combat these issues that are in his life.”

Watson was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison. He was ordered to pay a £154 surcharge and £85 costs. A forfeiture and destruction order was made for the kitchen knife.

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.