Castlemorris man spared jail after knife confrontation over council tax debt

Published

2 weeks ago

May 30, 2026

A CASTLEMORRIS man has avoided immediate custody after threatening enforcement officers with a knife during an early-morning visit over unpaid council tax.

Simon Coll, 59, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after admitting affray and two charges of criminal damage following the incident on February 26 last year.

The court heard that three enforcement officers had gone to Coll’s home at around 6:30am to execute a liability order.

They clamped his van before approaching the property, but were confronted by Coll, who came to the door armed with a large knife.

Officers forced to retreat

Prosecutor Brian Simpson said Coll shouted “Do you want some?” before swinging the blade towards one of the officers.

A second officer was then approached by Coll, causing all three men to retreat to their vehicles.

The court was told one of the officers had previously attempted to recover the debt, but had been chased away after Coll became aggressive.

After the officers returned to their vans, Coll threw what was believed to be a rock or log at one of the vehicles, cracking the windscreen. He also kicked the rear of another van.

Police were called and Dyfed-Powys Police officers arrived at the address within an hour.

Coll later told police he had woken to find three men near his home and claimed he had not realised they were enforcement officers until after they had left and he discovered the clamp on his van.

Damage to vehicles

The court heard the windscreen damage cost £372, while damage to the wheel clamp was valued at £15.

The enforcement officers were said to have been left badly shaken by the incident.

Defending, Andrew Evans said Coll accepted that his behaviour had been unlawful.

Recorder Mark Powell KC told Coll: “Your behaviour that day was disgraceful.

“These are men going about their public duty.

“You behaved in a very aggressive way towards them.

“One of them had a close shave with the large knife you were carrying.”

Coll was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years.

He must also pay £290 compensation and complete 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

8 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

9 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.

Crime

Haverfordwest pair accused of £80,000 rogue trading frauds

Published

9 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

TWO men from a Haverfordwest traveller family have been described in court as “rogue traders” following a series of alleged frauds totalling almost £80,000.

Billy Alfred Gary Lovell, 38, and Timothy Dean Lovell, 36, both of Under the Hills, Merlins Bridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

They are accused of offences linked to ground clearance and gardening work in Mathry, Sardis and two addresses in Carmarthenshire.

Prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Trading Standards Department, barrister Harry Dickens told the court: “These men have to be described as rogue traders.”

Billy Lovell faces 16 charges, including fraud by false representation, fraud by failing to disclose information, and unfair commercial practices.

The most serious allegation relates to Diana and Martin Hearnshaw, of Sardis. It is alleged that between January 30, 2022, and January 16, 2025, Billy Lovell dishonestly represented that he would complete clearance and gardening works worth £71,631, but failed to carry out work to that value.

He is also accused of offences involving Richard Gardner, of Penygroes, Carmarthenshire, Irene Williams, of Mathry, and Daniel Watts, of Ty Croes, Carmarthenshire.

Timothy Lovell faces ten charges arising from alleged incidents involving Richard Gardner and Irene Williams.

The allegations include claims that the defendants failed to provide accurate invoices, receipts, written contractual terms, cancellation rights and refund information. Some charges also allege that aggressive commercial practices were used, including harassment, coercion or undue influence.

No pleas were recorded. Because of the seriousness of the allegations, District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction.

The case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on June 12.

Both defendants were granted conditional bail. They must not contact prosecution witnesses directly or indirectly, must live and sleep each night at their respective addresses in Under the Hills, Merlins Bridge, and must not undertake any gardening or landscaping work.

The bail conditions were imposed to prevent interference with witnesses and further offending.