Crime
Man sentenced after punching convicted paedophile in Haverfordwest pub
A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sentenced after punching a convicted paedophile inside a town centre pub.
Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that Michael Harries, aged 40, approached the victim inside the Wetherspoons pub in Haverfordwest in October before punching him twice in the face.
Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that the victim had been in the pub for around nineteen minutes before closing time when the incident occurred.
“The victim was in the pub approximately nineteen minutes before closing time and noticed a male he didn’t know shout at him and call him a paedophile,” she said.
“The defendant then used his fist to punch the victim twice to the face, causing him to fall to the ground.”
Magistrates were shown CCTV footage of the incident along with a photograph of the victim’s injuries. The victim suffered a laceration to his nose and swelling to his left eye.
He attended Withybush General Hospital following the assault but left after being told he could face a wait of up to seven hours to see a doctor.
Police officers were called to the scene, and the court heard that Harries could be heard repeatedly shouting: “He’s a f****** paedophile. He’s a f****** nonce.”
During the arrest, a female police officer was heard telling Harries to stand still. She could also be heard shouting: “Don’t pinch me… stop pinching me.”
Harries, of Barn Street, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to assault by beating and to assaulting an emergency worker. He also admitted failing to attend an initial assessment appointment linked to suspected cocaine use.
Probation officer Julie Norman told magistrates that Harries did not know the victim personally but had acted after hearing information about him.
“He doesn’t personally know the victim, but he heard some information about him which led to the assault,” she said.
Harries was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who said his client deeply regretted the incident and had taken steps to change his behaviour.
“At that time he was drinking and taking drugs as a coping mechanism to deal with a number of issues, including the breakdown of a long-term relationship,” he said.
“He deeply regrets this very unpleasant incident, but since then he has taken significant steps to address his behaviour.”
Magistrates sentenced Harries to an 18-month community order.
The order requires him to complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, undergo a 120-day alcohol monitoring requirement, and carry out 75 hours of unpaid work.
He was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to the victim, £150 compensation to the police officer, £170 court costs, and a £114 victim surcharge.
Crime
Man, 37, found dead following major police response in Pembroke Dock
Death not being treated as suspicious as police make statutory referral to IOPC following active investigation
A 37-YEAR-OLD man has been found dead at Warrior Way in Pembroke Dock.
Dyfed-Powys Police said officers attended the area at around 7pm on Sunday, July 19, after concerns were raised for the welfare of an individual.
There was a significant police presence in the area, with several units positioned at the scene on Sunday and further police activity continuing into Monday.
The scale of the response prompted speculation among members of the public about the nature of the incident.
Police have now confirmed that the man was found deceased and that his death is not being treated as suspicious.
His next of kin have been informed.
HM Coroner has been advised, and officers will continue to assist with the coroner’s investigation.
The matter has also been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because the man had been involved in an active police investigation.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the referral was made in line with the IOPC’s statutory referral criteria.
Such referrals are required in certain circumstances and do not, in themselves, indicate that police officers or staff are suspected of wrongdoing.
Crime
Police praise teacher’s ‘exceptional courage’ following Milford school stabbing verdict
Detectives say it was “pure good fortune” the victim did not suffer even more serious injuries during the classroom attack
POLICE have praised the bravery of a teacher who was attacked with a knife at Milford Haven Comprehensive School, saying the emotional impact of the incident “cannot be underestimated”.
A 16-year-old boy was convicted at Swansea Crown Court of wounding with intent and unlawful wounding following the attack on Thursday, February 5.
The jury cleared him of attempted murder. He had previously pleaded guilty to possessing a knife.
The teenager, who cannot be identified because of his age, was 15 when the incident took place.
At approximately 3.20pm, he approached the teacher and asked for assistance with schoolwork before following her into a classroom.
He then attacked her while armed with a knife.
The teacher managed to disarm the pupil despite sustaining injuries which required hospital treatment. She later recovered from her physical injuries.
Dyfed-Powys Police said officers and other emergency services swiftly attended the school, where pupils and staff were safeguarded and a lockdown was put in place.
The teenager was traced and arrested shortly afterwards. He was charged on February 7 and remanded in custody ahead of his trial.
Following the verdicts, Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Sarah Totterdale commended the victim for attending court and giving evidence about the attack.
She said: “Firstly, I would like to commend the bravery shown by the victim in this case.
“What happened to her on February 5 must have been a truly terrifying ordeal, so to have to attend court and relive that experience has taken exceptional courage.
“It is thanks to pure good fortune that she did not sustain even worse injuries, but the emotional impact cannot be underestimated.
“We would like to thank her for her assistance throughout this investigation.”
DI Totterdale said the incident had also deeply affected pupils, teachers and the wider Milford Haven community.
She added: “This incident understandably had a profound impact on other students and teachers at Milford Haven Comprehensive School, as well as the wider community.
“Fortunately, we were able to promptly attend the school, ensure the safeguarding of pupils and teachers, and apprehend the offender.”
She also thanked the emergency services, school staff, parents, pupils, Pembrokeshire County Council and members of the community for their support and patience during the investigation and subsequent court proceedings.
DI Totterdale said: “I hope that, with the trial now concluded, the victim in this case can begin to obtain some closure from this incident, and that Milford Haven Comprehensive School can continue passionately teaching, learning and thriving together in a safe environment.”
The teenager will return to Swansea Crown Court to be sentenced on Thursday, September 3.
Crime
Public appeal after man arrested over laptops taken for repair and not returned
Trading Standards takes lead in investigation into alleged fraud and theft in Milford Haven and Haverfordwest
A MAN has been arrested as part of an investigation into allegations that laptops and other electronic devices were taken for repair but not returned to their owners.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that officers had received reports of alleged fraudulent activity and theft in the Milford Haven and Haverfordwest areas between September 2025 and April 2026.
A man in his 30s from the Milford Haven area was arrested in connection with the incidents and has since been released on conditional bail.
Trading Standards has now taken primacy of the investigation, with Dyfed-Powys Police continuing to assist.
The police statement was issued in response to questions from The Herald concerning complaints linked to Computer Solutions Wales.
Police did not name the business in their statement and have not confirmed that every complaint involving Computer Solutions Wales forms part of the current investigation.
However, The Herald has previously been contacted by a number of people who said they handed laptops, computers or other electronic equipment to the business for repair but were subsequently unable to recover their property or obtain refunds.
Some customers claimed they had spent months attempting to secure the return of their devices, while others said they had previously reported their experiences to the police or Trading Standards.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Dyfed-Powys Police are investigating a series of alleged fraudulent activity and theft in the Milford Haven and Haverfordwest areas.
“Reports included electronic devices, such as laptops, being taken for repair and not returned between September 2025 and April 2026.
“A man in his 30s, from the Milford Haven area, was arrested in relation to these incidents and released on conditional bail.
“Trading Standards have taken primacy of the investigation and officers will continue to assist them.”
Anyone who dealt with Computer Solutions Wales, or another computer repair operation in the Milford Haven or Haverfordwest areas, and believes a device was taken but not returned during the relevant period is being urged to make a report.
People with information that could assist the investigation are also being asked to come forward.
Reports should be made to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer service.
The service can be contacted online at:
Alternatively, the Citizens Advice consumer helpline can be contacted on 0808 223 1133.
Anyone making a report should provide as much supporting evidence as possible, including receipts, invoices, bank transfers, emails, text messages, photographs, details of the equipment concerned and any previous police or Trading Standards reference numbers.
The arrested man has not been charged, and the allegations have not been tested before a court.
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