Crime

Driver trapped after crash while nearly four times over drink-drive limit

Published

2 months ago

March 31, 2026

Milford Haven woman cut free from car on busy A4076 as court hears of alcohol dependency struggle

A MILFORD HAVEN motorist had to be cut free from her car after crashing while almost four times over the legal drink-drive limit, a court has heard.

Police were called to the A4076 between Milford Haven and Johnston on the afternoon of Monday (Mar 10) following reports of a single-vehicle collision involving a Mazda. Officers arrived to find Sarah Childe, 43, trapped inside the vehicle, wearing a dressing gown and pyjamas.

“She was trapped in the car and the ambulance and fire service had to cut her out,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

When spoken to by officers, Childe admitted she had consumed alcohol earlier that day. Breathalyser tests later carried out at the police station showed she had 127 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath—well above the legal limit of 35.

Childe, who is currently homeless but previously lived in Great North Road, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

Probation officer Julie Norman told the court the offence was aggravated by the timing of the collision.

“The incident occurred at a busy time of day, when many motorists were on the road travelling home from work and school,” she said.

The court heard that Childe is alcohol dependent and believed she may still have had alcohol in her system from the previous day, in addition to wine consumed earlier on the day of the crash.

Defending, Tom Lloyd said his client urgently needed professional support.

“In the long and the short, this is a lady who desperately needs help,” he said. “She recognises she has a serious problem with alcohol and wants to address it. She is drinking far too much and now wishes to confront this head on.”

Magistrates were told Childe has no previous convictions.

She was disqualified from driving for 32 months and handed an 18-month Community Order. As part of the order, she must complete a 12-month alcohol treatment programme and carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days. She was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

Crime

Milford Haven man admits assault and harassment charges

Published

3 days ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN has admitted assaulting a family member and harassing another relative following incidents in the town last year.

Wayne Whatling, 39, of Howarth Close, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Whatling changed his pleas to guilty to one charge of assault by beating and one charge of harassment without violence.

The assault charge relates to an incident in Milford Haven on September 13, 2025, when Whatling assaulted Ben Whatling by beating him.

He also admitted pursuing a course of conduct amounting to harassment against Carol Whatling between September 1 and September 13, 2025.

The court heard the harassment allegation involved repeatedly asking Carol Whatling for money, with the complainant said to have feared repercussions if she did not provide it.

Magistrates adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Whatling was remanded on conditional bail and ordered not to contact Carol or Ben Whatling directly or indirectly.

He is due to be sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (June 9).

Crime

Milford Haven man admits affray after alleged pub incident

Published

3 days ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has admitted affray following an incident at a town centre pub.

Stephen Collier, 38, of Vaynor Road, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Collier has pleaded guilty to affray, relating to an incident at Nos Da, Victoria Road, Milford Haven, on December 3, 2025.

The charge states that he used unlawful violence towards John Dean Hilton and that his conduct was such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for their personal safety.

Collier also faces a separate charge of burglary dwelling with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. It is alleged that, on the same date, he entered a flat at Nos Da as a trespasser and inflicted grievous bodily harm on Mr Hilton. He denies that charge.

The court also dealt with a breach of bail allegation after Collier was arrested on May 20 for allegedly breaching a curfew condition. He admitted the breach.

Magistrates re-admitted him to conditional bail.

His bail conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 9:00pm and 6:00am, residence at his Vaynor Road address, and exclusions from Mount Estate, Milford Haven town centre, and Nos Da.

He must also not contact prosecution witnesses, including Molly Martin, Jack Martin, Lily Rose Martin and John Hilton.

Collier is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, June 5, for sentence.

A spokesperson for Nos Da said the incident was connected with rooms upstairs at the Victoria Road premises, and did not take place in the bar itself, in the licensed area.