Judge warns misuse of emergency services could delay genuine life-threatening incidents

A 79-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire woman has admitted putting lives at risk after making more than 140 unnecessary calls to the emergency services over a 12-month period.

Ann Gately made a total of 141 calls to 999 between November 2024 and November 2025, including 26 calls over just two days between November 24 and 26.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that each call was made from her home in Chapel Hill Lane, Templeton.

Appearing before District Judge Mark Layton, Gately pleaded guilty to persistently making use of a public communications network to cause annoyance, inconvenience and anxiety.

She was represented by defence solicitor Tom Lloyd, who told the court his client had recently undergone a memory assessment which produced a low score. The report suggested this could be linked either to the onset of dementia or significant alcohol consumption.

During the hearing, Gately was heard muttering: “I could do with a drink now, to be honest,” as mitigation was presented.

She was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order, which includes 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days. She was also ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

Passing sentence, District Judge Mark Layton criticised her behaviour and warned of the wider consequences.

“You’re just making a nuisance of yourself again,” he said.

“You’re drinking, you’re getting drunk, you’re phoning the emergency services and their time is being wasted coming to you. People with genuine concerns aren’t able to get through and that might include someone in need of an ambulance or the fire service.

“Your actions are causing problems… real emergencies are being delayed, and that can cost lives.”

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.