News

Stole drain covers to buy food

Published

12 years ago

January 16, 2014

A HAVERFORDWEST man appeared in the town’s court on Tuesday to face a charge of theft. Steven John Simms, aged 51, of Fleming Crescent, pleaded guilty to stealing three storm drain covers to the value of £450 which belonged to Pembrokeshire County Council. Prosecuting, Ellie Morgan said:

“A witness who works for Pembrokeshire County Council had noticed that heavy metal drain covers had been removed. The police were contacted and enquiries were carried out. The defendant was given permission to store scrap metal in the yard behind White and Britton’s around 17 to 18 months ago. The drain covers were located in the yard.

“Police pointed out to Simms that removing the drain covers could potentially be very dangerous. He said he couldn’t remember a lot about the incident, but remembered stealing them to sell on for money for food.

“Theft is a main feature on his record with 60 plus offences relating to it”.

Defence solicitor Matthew Webb said: “Simms entered an early guilty plea. He agrees with Miss Norman’s conclusion of the report, though is a man of few words. He has said ‘I’m not going out pinching any more’. It is a fairly minor but potentially serious case, and he wants to put an end to it”.

The chairman of the bench said: “We consider removing the covers is a very dangerous offence. I’m surprised Miss Norman has this view. We were considering custody. What if they were not discovered and had caused injury to innocent pedestrians?”

Matthew Webb said to the magistrates: “Might I put forward the issue of a drink driver? Getting behind the wheel under the influence of a drug, I find is much more serious and is dealt with every day”.

The chairman replied: “They are not just dealt with by a conditional discharge. They are not allowed to drive for a considerable amount of time”.

Magistrates decided to grant Simms a suspended custodial sentence for 12 months. Should Simms offend again within the next 12 months, a 12 week custodial sentence will be imposed.

Charity

Christmas jumper fundraiser raises £360 for youth counselling

Published

19 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CHRISTMAS Jumper Day fundraiser held by staff at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd has raised £360 for the Megan’s Starr Foundation, helping fund vital mental health support for young people.

The money, presented to the charity by Carla and Liam, will pay for 10 professional counselling sessions for young people who are struggling and in urgent need of support.

The Megan’s Starr Foundation said the sessions provide a safe space for young people to talk, be listened to, and feel supported at a time when it matters most.

In a statement, the charity thanked the firm and its staff for getting involved, adding that access to timely support can be life changing and can help young people realise they are not alone.

The foundation said it was grateful to everyone at W.B. Griffiths & Son Ltd who took part, describing the donation as one that will have a real and lasting impact on local young people and their mental health.

News

Investigation launched after man found dead near Carmarthen railway line

Published

19 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man whose body was found in a field close to the railway track near Carmarthen railway station.

Emergency services were called to the area at just after 8:30am on Saturday (Jan 10). Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police attended alongside paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Witnesses reported seeing police and ambulance vehicles outside the station’s main entrance, with officers also in an adjacent field near a railway bridge.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

A police spokesperson said enquiries are ongoing and the death is currently being treated as unexplained.

No further details, including the man’s age or identity, have been released.

Crime

Former Gwent detective would have been sacked after off duty assault conviction

Published

20 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Ex officer found guilty of gross misconduct following Devon incident and magistrates court conviction

A FORMER Gwent Police detective sergeant has been found guilty of gross misconduct after being convicted of assaulting a man while off duty in Devon.

Joanne Marston resigned from the force shortly before an accelerated misconduct hearing was due to begin at Cwmbran on Monday. The panel went ahead in her absence.

The hearing was told the incident happened in February 2024 while Marston was off duty in Devon. She was later arrested and charged with common assault, and was convicted at Exeter Magistrates’ Court in March last year.

A professional standards investigation concluded she had breached the police standards of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct. The panel upheld the allegation and found it amounted to gross misconduct.

Had she remained a serving officer, the panel ruled she would have been dismissed without notice.

Assistant Chief Constable Vicki Townsend, who chaired the hearing, said the former officer’s actions were “shocking and unacceptable” and warned that such behaviour damages public confidence in policing.

Marston will now be placed on the College of Policing barred list, preventing her from serving with any police force in the UK.