Crime

Cannabis dealer caught with thousands in cash and drugs hidden in bedroom safe

Published

5 months ago

December 22, 2025

A WOMAN was arrested in Haverfordwest after police found thousands of pounds in cash and a large quantity of cannabis concealed in a safe under her bed.

Samantha Whelton, aged 39, was stopped by officers on October 25 while carrying a Tesco carrier bag containing £3,000 in cash. The money, made up of £10 and £20 notes, was discovered during her arrest in the town.

Prosecutor Brian Simpson told the court Whelton claimed the cash was savings she intended to use to buy a car.

Following her arrest, Dyfed-Powys Police searched Whelton’s home on Heol Derwen, Merlin’s Bridge. During the search, officers discovered a “bag for life” underneath her bed containing a safe which smelled strongly of cannabis.

Inside the safe were 688 grams of cannabis, with an estimated street value of up to £4,200. Police also seized four mobile phones and four tablet devices from the property.

During interview, Whelton maintained the cash had come from benefits savings and gambling winnings. She denied ownership of the safe and suggested someone else must have placed it in her home, claiming she had left her back door unlocked.

Whelton later pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply. A separate charge of possession of criminal property was not pursued by the prosecution.

The court heard Whelton has four previous convictions for six offences. In June last year, she received a suspended sentence for possession with intent to supply cocaine and obstructing police.

Defence solicitor Emily Bennett said Whelton’s early guilty plea should be treated as significant mitigation.

“She has taken responsibility for her actions and deeply regrets what she has done,” she told the court. “This defendant struggles with substance misuse.”

Ms Bennett also said Whelton is the primary carer for her teenage child and highlighted the impact of imprisonment, noting that any custodial sentence would mean serving time a considerable distance from home due to the lack of women’s prisons in Wales.

Judge Catherine Richards sentenced Whelton to 12 months, and activated 10 months her suspended sentence to run consecutively.

A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing will be heard in April 2026.

Crime

Police standoff ends after four-hour incident in Pembroke Dock

Published

20 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ELIZABETH COURT SCENE STOOD DOWN AFTER DOMESTIC INCIDENT

A FOUR-HOUR police standoff in Pembroke Dock has ended with a 21-year-old man arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident at Elizabeth Court has now been stood down and the scene released.

The man has been taken to hospital to receive medical attention.

Chief Inspector Dominic Jones said: “I want to thank local residents for their patience while we dealt with this incident. I understand that such a large police presence in a residential street is concerning to see, and I’m grateful to everyone who co-operated with our officers at the scene.

“I’d like to offer my reassurance that our units responded to an isolated domestic incident, and there was no further threat posed to the wider community. The scene has now been released, and we will investigate the full circumstances of this morning’s incident.”

Officers were called to the address this morning (Saturday, May 9), with a large police presence remaining in the area for several hours.

Eyewitnesses told The Herald that police were asking a man upstairs to come down, with tasers drawn during the incident.

Police dogs, specialist officers and what appeared to be a negotiator were also seen at the scene.

The incident lasted from around 11:00am until about 3:10pm.

Crime

Teen denies attempted murder of Milford Haven teacher

Published

24 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TEENAGER REMANDED AHEAD OF JULY TRIAL

A 15-YEAR-old boy has denied attempting to murder a teacher during a stabbing incident at Milford Haven School.

The teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (May 8).

He pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and unlawful wounding with a knife.

The charges relate to an incident at Milford Haven School on Thursday, February 5, when emergency services were called after reports that a teacher had been assaulted by a pupil carrying a weapon.

The school was placed into lockdown and pupils were later safely evacuated.

The injured teacher was taken to hospital with stab wounds, but was discharged later the same day.

Police said at the time that specialist officers were supporting the victim and the wider school community.

The teenager was remanded in custody following Friday’s hearing.

A trial is due to begin on July 6.

Crime

Racial abuse suspect barricaded himself inside Johnston lodge

Published

3 days ago

May 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ARMED police were called to a supported accommodation building in Johnston after a man allegedly barricaded himself inside a room while behaving aggressively and racially abusing staff.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed officers were called to Silverdale Lodge at around 8:55am on Saturday (May 2) following reports of disorder involving a resident.

According to police, the man allegedly acted aggressively towards staff members and made racially abusive comments before barricading himself inside a room at the property.

The force said armed officers were deployed to ensure the safety of staff, other occupants and the man himself.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police was called to Silverdale Lodge in Johnston at approximately 8.55am on May 2 following a report of a male behaving in an aggressive manner and being racially abusive towards a member of staff.

“Officers attended the scene and the male had barricaded himself in a room.

“In order to ensure the safety of the male, staff members and other occupants of the building, armed officers attended the scene.

“The man was detained and arrested. There were no injuries to members of staff or officers reported. There is currently no ongoing threat to the public.”

Police confirmed Billy Pitman, aged 29, has been charged with racially aggravated public order offences, criminal damage and threats to cause criminal damage in connection with the incident.

Pitman was remanded into custody and appeared before Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Monday (May 4).

We will bring you the court result as we receive it.