Crime

Drug dealer ordered to pay after festival bust and e-bike crash

Published

1 month ago

January 14, 2026

A MILFORD HAVEN drug dealer who thought he could cash in by supplying partygoers at a music festival has been ordered to hand over thousands of pounds under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Justin Cadwell, 29, of Picton Close, was jailed for five years after police stopped a vehicle on the A31 near Winchester on Thursday (Aug 8) 2024, acting on intelligence linked to drug dealing.

Cadwell was a passenger in the car, which was being driven by his sister. She was later cleared of involvement after police examined her phone.

Officers found a haul of drugs and other items believed to be destined for a Hampshire festival, including 44.363g of cannabis, nitrous oxide canisters valued at £2,225, 15.11g of ketamine, 12.4g of MDMA, and smaller quantities of cannabis.

When Cadwell’s home was later searched, police found a locked garden shed that had been converted into a drug store.

Inside, officers seized 53.25g of cannabis, 450g of cannabis resin, 29.8g of cocaine, cutting agents and empty snap bags. They also recovered £25,307.85 in cash hidden in the shed and in Cadwell’s bedroom.

Cadwell claimed the money came from window cleaning work and gifts from his father, and insisted the drugs were for personal use.

E-bike crash

The case took another turn months later when emergency services were called to an e-bike crash at Hakin Point, Milford Haven, at around 7:00pm on Friday (Mar 1).

The bike had no lights and the passenger was not wearing a helmet. Cadwell, who was riding the bike, was knocked unconscious in the collision.

As paramedics cut away his jacket to treat him, they found 10.21g of cocaine and 60g of cannabis in his clothing, along with £588.03 in cash. Cadwell refused to provide a drugs specimen when required and again claimed the substances were for personal use.

Guilty pleas

At Swansea Crown Court in July, Cadwell pleaded guilty to two offences of possession with intent to supply cocaine, three offences of possession with intent to supply cannabis, possession with intent to supply nitrous oxide and cannabis resin, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, possession of criminal property, and failing to provide a specimen.

Prosecutor Georgia Donohue told the court it was agreed Cadwell had benefited by £14,719.79 from drug dealing, with £6,569 in available assets.

Judge Geraint Walters made a confiscation order for £6,569, meaning Cadwell must pay that sum back or face further consequences.

Crime

Man who threw corrosive liquid at guest and fled abroad jailed

Published

12 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A BUSINESSMAN who threw a corrosive liquid into a guest’s face during a row at a spiritual retreat before fleeing the country has been jailed for 18 months.

Dean Mayze, aged 38, from Abercrave in Powys, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm following the attack at his Hafan-y-Coed retreat in December 2022.

Swansea Crown Court heard the assault happened after an argument with guest Keifer Price, who had complained about the condition of his accommodation, including a lack of heating and washing facilities.

During the confrontation, Mayze produced a blue container and threw its contents upwards into the victim’s face.

The liquid — described as smelling like ammonia — entered Mr Price’s eyes, nose and mouth, leaving him in severe pain and struggling to breathe.

Medical evidence confirmed injuries consistent with a chemical burn to both eyes. He suffered abrasions, a corneal defect and the loss of the outer corneal layer in one eye, requiring significant treatment to prevent permanent sight loss. He has since recovered without lasting injury.

Fled across Europe

Following the attack, Mayze fled the UK, triggering an international search.

The court heard he travelled across several European countries, including Ireland, France, Italy, Croatia and Greece, before eventually being arrested in Romania in 2025.

Despite being on the run, he remained in regular contact with police by text and email, at one point telling officers he would not be returning to Wales.

His partner initially claimed responsibility for the assault and later received a suspended prison sentence after admitting perverting the course of justice.

Previous conviction

The court was told Mayze has a previous conviction for wounding involving a corrosive substance in Kent in 2013.

Defence barrister Andrew Taylor said his client had experienced harsh conditions while detained in Romania, including contracting scabies without treatment, and described him as remorseful.

However, Judge Geraint Walters said it was “pure luck” the victim had not suffered permanent injuries, describing the attack as a “particularly wicked way of inflicting violence”.

Sentence and order

Mayze, who appeared via video link from prison, had previously denied a more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and made subject to a three-year restraining order.

Crime

Police appeal after man injured in St Davids incident

Published

18 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for witnesses following an incident in St Davids which left one man injured.

The incident happened in Nun Street at around 11:10am on Tuesday, December 30. The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment.

Officers confirmed that a man has been arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident.

Police are now asking anyone with information, dash cam footage, or CCTV that could assist the investigation to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online at:
https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/

Alternatively, email [email protected], send a direct message via social media, or call 101 quoting reference DP20251230094.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Sexual assault allegation to be tried

Published

19 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Accused granted conditional bail

A SEXUAL assault allegation has been listed for trial following a hearing before magistrates.

David Fletcher, 45, of Chestnut Way, Mount Estate, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, appeared before magistrates in Llanelli on Thursday (Feb 12) charged with sexual assault, contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The charge alleges that on March 16, 2025, at Johnston, Pembrokeshire, he intentionally touched a woman aged 16 or over and that the touching was sexual when she did not consent and he did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

The matter was adjourned for trial and Fletcher was remanded on conditional bail.

The trial is listed for March 9, 2026 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions prohibit him from entering a specified premises in Johnston, from contacting directly or indirectly the complainant or any prosecution witnesses, and from posting any information relating to the investigation on social media. The conditions were imposed to prevent further offending and to prevent interference with witnesses or obstruction of justice.