Milford Haven court told vessel struck moored boat and incident was not reported

A SAILOR has admitted navigating his vessel at a speed likely to endanger others after a collision with a moored boat at Milford Haven waterfront.

Nolan Orford was the master of the vessel Andy 02 when it entered Milford Haven on June 4. District Judge Mark Layton was told that the speed at which Orford was travelling failed to comply with directions lawfully given by the harbourmaster under the Milford Haven Conservancy Act 1983.

Orford, of The Great Barn, Bishton Village, Newport, pleaded guilty to manoeuvring his vessel at a speed likely to cause damage, danger or inconvenience to others, making a direct impact with a vessel that was on its moorings, and failing to report the collision to the harbourmaster.

Sentencing was adjourned until March 5 because Orford is currently abroad and was unable to attend court for the hearing.

Defendant said he returned to former partner’s property after release from prison

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sentenced after breaking into the home of a woman who had died weeks earlier.

John Ashby, aged 38 and currently of no fixed abode, was arrested on June 12, 2025, after police received a 999 call reporting he had forced entry into a property at Laws Street, Pembroke Dock. The owner of the house had passed away a few weeks before the incident.

When officers attended, they found rear windows had been smashed. Blood traces recovered from the scene were sent for forensic analysis, which led police to Ashby.

Appearing before magistrates this week, Ashby pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage. He was represented by defence solicitor Michael Kelleher.

Mr Kelleher told the court his client had been released from prison on the day of the incident and that the deceased woman had been his former partner.

“He returned to the property feeling extremely upset that she had died and that all of his belongings were inside the building,” he said.

Ashby was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge. He must also pay £293.57 compensation for the damage caused to the property.

Case sent to Crown Court after district judge declines jurisdiction due to seriousness

TWO people from Haverfordwest have appeared before a district judge charged with assaulting, ill-treating and neglecting an eight-week-old baby in Haverfordwest town centre.

The man and woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons in order to protect the identity of the child, are accused of failing to take the infant to hospital after the baby allegedly sustained injuries during what has been described as a domestic accident.

The pair appeared before District Judge Mark Layton sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where they jointly denied charges of assault, ill-treatment and neglect of a child.

The man also faces an additional charge of wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent in relation to the same infant. He denied that charge.

Given the seriousness of the allegations, Judge Layton declined jurisdiction, meaning the case must be dealt with at a higher court.

Proceedings will now continue at Swansea Crown Court on March 20.

Both defendants were released on conditional bail, with conditions that they reside at their current address in Southampton.