Crime

Masked gang ‘stole £100 and half-pack of sanitary towels’ in bungled raid

Published

3 months ago

February 24, 2026

Two men deny aggravated burglary charges as Swansea Crown Court trial opens

TWO men from the Manchester area are accused of storming the home of a Pembrokeshire dog breeder armed with weapons and demanding cash, but leaving with just £100, a Lloyds Bank paying-in book and half a packet of sanitary towels, a jury at Swansea Crown Court heard on Tuesday (Feb 24).

Michael Quinn and Mohammed Mills each deny a charge of aggravated burglary following the alleged late-night raid at a bungalow on Cefn Road, Fishguard, targeting businessman John David Davies at the property he shares with his partner, Carmen Bailey.

The case is being heard before His Honour Judge P H Thomas KC.

Door smashed during terrifying ordeal

Reading from Mr Davies’ statement, the prosecution said he had been watching television with Ms Bailey when he suddenly heard banging at the front door.

When he got up to investigate, a glass pane was smashed and masked men climbed through the broken entrance shouting: “Where’s the money?”

During the incident, a witness who was on the phone to Mr Davies could allegedly hear shouting and commotion in the background and repeatedly asked whether the couple were safe.

Ms Bailey ran to the house phone and dialled police at 8:51pm. During the call, one of the intruders reportedly noticed her and shouted: “She’s on the phone.”

Property searched but cash missed

The court heard the men then began searching the bungalow.

Despite approximately £3,000 being hidden inside the property, the intruders left with just two £50 notes, a Lloyds Bank paying-in book and a packet of sanitary towels which was about half full, meaning only part of the pack was taken.

The prosecution said the raid lasted only minutes before the masked men fled.

Police outline Manchester connection

David Thomas, the officer in charge of the investigation, gave evidence describing enquiries and interviews carried out by police.

The jury heard that Mohammed Mills denied involvement in the alleged burglary, but investigators established he had driven from Manchester to Wales on May 28 and 29, 2021, for payment of £350.

A black balaclava was found in the boot of his vehicle, which Mills said may have been left there after a go-karting trip.

The court also heard he had been given two postcodes during the journey — one at the start and another about an hour later — directing him towards the Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen area.

Deleted messages recovered from his phone allegedly included the phrase: “Yo just got back, mission. P*** take.”

The prosecution allege the pair travelled from the Manchester area to Pembrokeshire intending to carry out a targeted robbery linked to the home-based dog breeding business.

Both men deny the charge.

The trial continues.

Crime

Steynton motorist banned after drink-drive collision

Published

1 day ago

May 27, 2026

Court Reporter

Driver was seen swerving through Milford Haven before hitting traffic barrier

A STEYNTON motorist has lost his licence after being caught driving through Milford Haven while over the drink-drive limit.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that at around 2:00am on Saturday (May 10), police received a call from ambulance staff who were concerned about the manner in which a white Kia was being driven in the Milford Haven area.

The vehicle had been seen swerving across the road.

Officers located the Kia as it entered Milford Haven and watched it turn right into Thornton Road, where it collided with a traffic barrier.

The driver identified himself as Jordan Wootton. As officers approached the vehicle, they could smell intoxicants. Wootton was also heard slurring his words, while an open bottle of alcohol was seen inside the vehicle.

Wootton, 28, of Conway Drive, Steynton, was arrested. Subsequent breath tests gave a lowest reading of 59mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

He pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Wootton was fined £430 and ordered to pay a £180 surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 16 months.

Crime

Dock man given suspended prison sentence for third drink-drive offence

Published

1 day ago

May 27, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Disqualified driver was nearly twice the legal limit after being seen driving erratically in Range Rover

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after committing his third drink-driving offence in six years.

Neil Edmundson, 51, was reported to police on May 7 after a motorist saw him driving an orange Range Rover “in an erratic manner” along Lamphey Lodge Lane.

“He was driving towards her at an excessive speed and was driving erratically,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Edmundson was then seen entering a local petrol station, where he was said to smell strongly of alcohol.

He was later stopped by police officers but refused to provide a roadside breath test. He was arrested and taken to a police station where he provided a breathalyser reading of 77mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

A police investigation established that Edmundson, of Laws Street, Pembroke Dock, had already been disqualified from driving following two previous drink-driving convictions in 2020 and 2024.

Appearing before magistrates this week, Edmundson pleaded guilty to drink-driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving without third party insurance.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months, and disqualified from driving for five years.

Magistrates also ordered him to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He must pay a £154 surcharge and £85 court costs.

Crime

Bulldog left permanently blind after prolonged neglect

Published

1 day ago

May 27, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A BULLDOG was left permanently blind after suffering prolonged neglect by its owner, a court has heard.

George suffered substantial levels of suffering between July 12 and December 20, 2025, after his owner, Michael McGartland, failed to seek prompt veterinary treatment despite the animal’s significant decline.

McGartland, 70, of The Woodlands, Lower Level, Kilgetty, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

District Judge Mark Layton said the seriousness of the offence meant an all-options probation report would be required before sentence.

McGartland will be sentenced on June 23.

He was released on unconditional bail.