Crime

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

Published

5 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

Police appeal after alleged sexual assault in Carmarthen

Published

4 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

OFFICERS investigating an alleged sexual assault in Carmarthen are appealing for the public’s help to identify a person who may have information.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident happened in front of F.Hinds jewellers on Lammas Street at around 4pm on Tuesday, May 12.

Investigating officers have carried out a number of enquiries and are now asking for assistance in identifying the person pictured.

Police stressed that the person may have information that could help the investigation.

Anyone who is the person pictured, or who knows who they are, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online at https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: 26000377639

Crime

Scaffolder banned after cannabis smell reported from van

Published

22 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A SCAFFOLDER has been banned from driving for 14 months after an off-duty police officer smelt cannabis coming from his Volkswagen Transporter as it travelled through Slebech.

The report was made to police at around 10.30am on February 15. When officers located the vehicle, they discovered it was being driven by 46-year-old Christopher Bennett.

Further blood tests showed Bennett had 16.8 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2.

This week Bennett, of Queensdown Gardens, Brislington, Bristol, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. He was represented in court by Alaw Harries.

“The defendant is remorseful for his actions and recognises the seriousness of the offence,” Ms Harries told the Bench.

“He suffers significant pain following operations to his shoulders and has been prescribed codeine. But this causes drowsiness, so he began self-medicating using cannabis.

“On the day of the offence, he was in worse pain than usual, so he used cannabis earlier than he normally does.”

Ms Harries said the conviction would have serious financial consequences for Bennett, who works as a self-employed scaffolder.

“His driving licence is fundamental to his livelihood,” she said.

“The financial consequences are going to be significant to him, as well as to those who are dependent on him.”

Magistrates fined Bennett £600 and ordered him to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs.

He was disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Crime

Estate agent banned after drug-drive crash in Milford Haven

Published

22 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Alison Walker had nearly five times the legal benzoylecgonine limit in her system

A PEMBROKESHIRE estate agent has been banned from the road after admitting driving through Milford Haven with nearly five times the legal limit of a cocaine metabolite in her system.

Alison Walker, 59, was arrested on February 2 after her white MG was involved in a two-car collision on Great North Road, Milford Haven.

“Fortunately there were no injuries, just damage to the vehicles,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Walker was arrested and asked to provide blood samples. These showed she had 240mcg of benzoylecgonine in her system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

Walker, of Woodland Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drug-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd.

He told the bench that prior to the offence, Walker had been employed as an estate agent.

“She has a good relationship with her boss, and as soon as this conviction is dealt with and her sentence has been served, he will be happy for her to return to her employment,” he said.

After considering a comprehensive probation report, magistrates disqualified Walker from driving for 20 months.

She was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. Walker must also carry out a 12-month community order, during which she must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.