Crime

Woman says harassment by ex-partner left her feeling unsafe in her own home

Published

2 months ago

February 11, 2026

Court hears of late-night calls, messages and 999 whisper for help

A WOMAN has told a court her life was “turned upside down” by a campaign of harassment from her former partner which left her too frightened to feel safe in her own home.

In a victim impact statement read to magistrates at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, she said almost every aspect of her daily life had been affected.

“Almost every aspect of my life has been disrupted,” she said.

“His actions have left me feeling constantly unsafe and vulnerable, particularly late at night, and my home is no longer the safe haven it should be.

“Making that 999 call left me feeling ashamed, even though I knew it was the right action in the circumstances.”

The court heard that during the emergency call on May 15, the woman could be heard whispering to the operator because her ex-partner, Gary Thomas, was outside her home in a Pembrokeshire village.

Prosecutor Nia James said: “Just before 10:30pm Gary Thomas knocked on her door and the female saw a shadow looking in through the window.

“She can be heard speaking quietly because he was outside banging on the door. She felt scared that he could hear her making that call to the police.”

The harassment began on May 8, the day after the couple’s relationship, described to the court as “toxic”, came to an end.

Thomas repeatedly contacted her by phone and text. On one evening alone, between 10:00pm and 11:30pm, she received 22 missed calls. On May 15 he messaged to say he was coming to collect his belongings, knocked on the door at 10:18pm and continued sending messages for around 20 minutes.

Despite being asked to stop, he continued to contact her via text and WhatsApp, including messages saying: “I always love you and think about you” and “Can you come and speak to me please?”

“The female has had to make considerable changes to her lifestyle,” said Ms James. “Initially she felt so unsafe she went to stay with her family and has now had to take increased security precautions. But even with these steps, she continues to experience heightened anxiety.

“He showed no consideration or thought towards her, and this has added to her emotional strain.”

Thomas, aged 40, of Foley Way, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to harassment without violence.

Defence solicitor Tom Lloyd said the incidents were limited and that his client was remorseful.

“He turned up at the address on a very limited number of occasions and the offences don’t include a particularly high volume of phone calls,” he said.

“There was no threat of violence, no intimidation, and this isn’t something that was sustained. He’s expressed genuine remorse. He’s never been before the courts and this was a completely isolated incident.”

Magistrates fined Thomas £2,700 and ordered him to pay a £1,180 surcharge and £85 costs, bringing the total to £3,865.

A restraining order was also imposed, banning him from contacting the victim, visiting her address or entering any data relating to her on any electronic device.

Crime

Train disruption after youths seen playing on tracks at Haverfordwest station

Published

39 minutes ago

April 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police attend after dangerous incident involving football on railway line

TRAINS were delayed at Haverfordwest railway station on Tuesday (Apr 1) after a group of youths were seen playing with a football near live tracks, prompting a police response.

Footage captured by a bystander shows several young people on the platform throwing and kicking a ball across the station. In one clip, a youth is seen kicking a football from Platform 2 towards Platform 1, but the ball overshoots and lands beyond a fence into the station car park.

More concerning footage shows the ball rolling onto the railway line, with one youth climbing down onto the tracks to retrieve it—an act that poses serious risk of injury or death due to live rails and the potential for oncoming trains.

The incident caused disruption to services, with two trains delayed by 25 minutes while the situation was dealt with.

Police attended the scene, although it is not yet clear whether any arrests were made. Officers have been approached for comment.

Railway safety rules strictly prohibit access to the tracks except by authorised personnel, and incidents such as this are treated seriously due to the potentially fatal consequences.

The Herald understands that such behaviour can also lead to significant disruption across the rail network, affecting passengers and services well beyond the immediate area.

Anyone with further information about the incident is urged to contact police.

Crime

Driver given interim ban after A478 crash

Published

1 day ago

March 31, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Motorist fled scene after colliding with fence and hedge near Clunderwen

A LLANDISSILIO motorist has been handed an interim driving disqualification after failing to stop following a collision on the A478.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Dean Duffy, 31, collided with a fence and hedge while driving his Ford Puma at Clunderwen on Tuesday (Mar 4). His failure to stop and report the incident led to his court appearance.

Duffy, of Maesybryn, Llandissilio, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road traffic collision, failing to report the accident, driving without third party insurance and driving while disqualified.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court: “A vehicle collided with a fence and hedge and the bumper came off. The vehicle was abandoned, but correspondence on the seat identified the defendant as possibly being the person responsible.”

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until Tuesday (Apr 28) to allow for the preparation of a pre-sentence report by the probation service.

Duffy was disqualified from driving on an interim basis pending sentence.

Crime

Dock motorist avoids jail after drug-drive crash

Published

1 day ago

March 31, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after taking his mother’s car without permission and crashing into a wall, causing damage to a parked BMW.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that on September 27, 2025, Tony Brundrett, 21, took his mother’s Vauxhall Astra from her home and drove off without her consent.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that Brundrett lost control of the vehicle and collided with a wall.

“The wall collapsed as a result of the impact, causing damage to a parked BMW,” she said.

The owner of the BMW said the vehicle suffered bodywork damage and scratching following the incident.

When arrested, Brundrett was found to have 253 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a cocaine metabolite – in his system, more than five times the legal limit of 50.

The court heard that although Brundrett’s mother confirmed the car was hers, she did not wish to criminalise her son.

Brundrett, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, criminal damage, and drug-driving.

Defending, Alaw Harries said: “He accepts his behaviour was foolish and irresponsible and wishes to apologise to the court for what took place.

“At the time of the offence, he was experiencing significant personal difficulties. This was the first and last time he has taken drugs, and he was not thinking clearly. While that is not an excuse, it provides context. He is now in a much better place.”

Magistrates sentenced Brundrett to 18 weeks’ custody, suspended for 24 months. He was disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay £100 compensation, a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.