News

‘Curious’ burglar fined £358

Published

11 years ago

January 16, 2014

A MAN from Johnston appeared in Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Wednesday to face a charge of entering as a trespasser into a dwelling with intent to steal. Sean Gamble, aged 45, of Hillcroft, pleaded guilty to this charge on the basis that he did not break in and entered the building in curiosity, though did not steal anything.

Prosecutor, Nicholas Newton said: “The property is situated in Johnston and is up for sale with John Francis. There were no tenants in the building at the time of the offence, though there were people viewing it throughout 2013. During a viewing, it was noticed the conservatory door had been forced and a boiler was missing. A police investigation took place and a cigarette butt was found on the kitchen floor. It was seized and the DNA on the cigarette matched that of Sean Gamble.

“Gamble knew the property as he knew the tenants who had lived there previously. He also knew that the property was unoccupied and had gone into the property out of curiosity. He saw that the door had been forced by another person, had looked around and left. There is no evidence to say he was the person breaking entry or the person who stole the boiler.

“He accepts he was a trespasser, and while he was there there was an intention to steal and is guilty for that. He does have previous convictions, though none relating to theft”.

Defence solicitor, Jonathan Webb said: “This is a case of curiosity killed the cat. He knew the property and knew it was empty. Gamble had been out walking, and the reason he looked inside was he wondered if he could steal something. There wasn’t anything that interested him, so he didn’t. He entered as a trespasser with intent to steal. It was an unforced entry and no theft”.

Magistrates proceeded to fine Gamble a total of £358.

Crime

Pembroke Dock resident faces court over dog control breaches

Published

3 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Court Reporter

PHILIP Murray, 52, of 11 Picton Place, Pembroke Dock, will appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Nov 14) to face several charges of breaching a community protection notice. The notice, issued under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, required Murray to control his dogs in response to repeated disturbances.

The charges relate to incidents from May to September 2024, when Murray allegedly failed to comply with the restrictions set out in a notice issued on January 3, 2024. Court documents state that despite multiple warnings, Murray continued to disregard the order, leading to ongoing issues linked to his dogs’ behaviour.

If found guilty, Murray could face a Level 4 fine for each offence. The hearing is scheduled to take place from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in Courtroom 1, presided over by the Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire Adult Panel.

The case underscores the role of community protection notices in addressing persistent anti-social behavior.

Crime

Cilgerran driver banned for drug use on Cardigan high street

Published

3 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Court Reporter

A CILGERRAN motorist appeared before a district judge after driving on Cardigan High Street under the influence of cannabis.

On May 3, police officers on patrol detected a strong smell of cannabis from a Volkswagen Golf driven by Kim Haynes, 40.

A drugs wipe returned a positive result, with subsequent tests showing Haynes had 3.4 mcg of Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol in her blood, above the legal limit of 2.

Haynes, of Sun Cottage, Church Street, Cilgerran, pleaded guilty to driving over the specified drug-drive limit. She was fined and ordered to pay a total of £365, including costs and a court surcharge, and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Crime

Motorist disqualified after cannabis-fuelled traffic collision

Published

3 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Court Reporter

A 21-YEAR-OLD driver has been disqualified after a traffic pile-up on the A40 following cannabis use.

Officers attended Arnold’s Hill, Slebech, on March 29 in response to a multi-vehicle collision involving Kayleigh Taylor, 21, whose Toyota Aygo was on the opposite carriageway.

“There was a smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle, so a drugs wipe was conducted, which returned a positive result,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan. Further tests showed Taylor had 7.7 mcg of Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol in her blood, above the legal limit of 2.

Taylor, of Princess Royal Way, Haverfordwest, admitted to driving over the specified drug-drive limit and possessing 266.1 grams of cannabis found in her vehicle.

District Judge Mark Layton sentenced her to a 12-month community order with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. She was disqualified from driving for 17 months, fined £80, and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.