Fibre cables cut in early-morning incident that triggered major service disruption

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has admitted causing more than £33,000 worth of damage to a telecommunications network after cutting through fibre optic cables in the early hours of the morning.

Mickey Probert, aged 37, was seen lifting a drain cover in Wavell Crescent at around 3.50am on January 23, 2024, before entering an underground chamber and cutting through fibre infrastructure belonging to OGI.

Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court that Probert had accessed a telecom footway chamber and cut through micro ducting and fibre cables.

Suspicions were raised when a nearby resident was woken by loud clanging noises and saw a man acting suspiciously near green utility boxes.

“The witness saw a male bend down in front of the boxes, lift the covers and shine a headtorch towards the ground,” she said.

Following a description provided by the witness, police arrested Probert. A search of his property uncovered wire cutters, a headtorch and a woolly hat.

The total cost of the damage to the OGI network was calculated at £33,767.98.

Defence solicitor Tom Lloyd said his client was unable to explain his actions but was extremely remorseful.

“He has a lot of things going on that haven’t properly been explored,” he told the court.

Probert, currently of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

Given the seriousness of the offence, District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction, meaning sentencing must take place at a higher court.

Probert will now be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on March 10. The court requested an all-options probation report ahead of the hearing.

(Cover image: File photo)

Magistrates impose referral order following guilty pleas to multiple offences

A 15-YEAR-OLD girl has appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with assaulting a police officer by kicking him.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to common assault after the officer sustained reddening and bleeding to his leg.

She also admitted obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty and stealing items worth £18 from a shop.

After considering the case, District Judge Mark Layton sentenced the girl to a 12-month referral order.

She was also ordered to pay £50 court costs, a £26 surcharge, £50 compensation to the injured officer, and £18 compensation to the shop.

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.