Crime

Man sentenced after punching convicted paedophile in Haverfordwest pub

Published

2 months ago

March 4, 2026

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 cleared after prosecution offers no evidence at Crown Court

Published

17 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Court Reporter

Swansea Crown Court entered formal not guilty verdicts on all counts, bringing the case to an end

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been cleared after the prosecution offered no evidence against him at Swansea Crown Court.

Luke Phillips, 23, of Woodlands Park, Haverfordwest, had previously faced charges relating to indecent images of children and extreme pornography.

The case came before His Honour Judge Thomas KC on Monday (Apr 13).

When the matter was called on, the prosecution offered no evidence on all counts.

Formal not guilty verdicts were then entered on each count, bringing the proceedings to an end.

Phillips was represented by barrister Ian Ibrahim.

The outcome means there is no further action to be taken in relation to the case.

It is understood that property seized during the investigation can now be returned following the conclusion of the proceedings.

Crime

Man found staggering in street after brutal caravan attack

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2026

Court Reporter

Victim suffered fractured wrist and suspected broken jaw after assault in Pembroke Dock

A MAN was found staggering around Pembroke Dock town centre covered in blood after a brutal attack inside a caravan, Swansea Crown Court has heard.

The victim had gone to the mobile home in the early hours of January 29 intending to buy cocaine. But after arriving at an address in Pembroke Dock, he was directed to a caravan parked behind another house, where he encountered two men, including Zack Ian Craig High.

Prosecutor Sian Cutter told the court that while the complainant was making his way to the caravan, he received a phone call telling him to make an online payment.

***There was a huge police response on the day of the incident (Image: Herald)***

Once inside, an argument broke out between the complainant and High. The confrontation quickly turned violent, with High punching the victim to the floor before repeatedly punching and kicking him.

After the attack, the injured man managed to leave the caravan and walk back towards Pembroke Dock town centre. While doing so, he made a video call to a friend. Alarmed by the bloodied state of the complainant, the friend contacted police.

Officers later found the victim staggering through the town with blood on his face. He was taken to hospital, where medics found significant bruising to his face as well as bruising to his back, arms and legs. He was also found to have suffered a possible fracture to his upper jaw and a fractured wrist bone.

***Police cordoned off the town centre of Pembroke Dock on January 29 (Pic: Herald)***

High, aged 26, of no fixed abode, was arrested and gave a “no comment” interview.

He had originally been charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, but later pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard that at the time of the assault, High was already subject to a suspended sentence.

Defending, Stuart John said High denied any involvement in drug dealing. He suggested the background to the incident may have involved the fact that his client was in a relationship with the complainant’s former partner.

Sentencing, Judge Geraint Walters described the attack as “brutal” and said it had caused significant injuries.

With credit for his guilty plea, High was jailed for 18 months. He will serve 40 per cent of the sentence in custody before being released on licence for the remainder.

The judge also imposed a five-year restraining order banning High from contacting the victim.

Top photo caption: Zack High was jailed for 18 months after a brutal attack in Pembroke Dock left a man with serious injuries (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police)