News

‘Steaming drunk’ man jailed after vicious attack

Published

9 years ago

January 3, 2017

swansea-crown-court A MAN from Haverfordwest who was ‘steaming drunk’ when he broke another man’s eye socket purely for entertainment has been jailed for 12 months today (Jan 3).

Darren John Connolly, 32, landed a 60mph punch to the face of Nigel Hewitt only because he was out for trouble and looking for someone to pick on.

Connolly, of Turberville House, High Street, had denied inflicting grievous bodily harm but had been convicted by a jury after a trial at Swansea Crown Court.

Today, Judge Paul Thomas said Connolly had gone onto High Street in the early hours of August 15, 2015, stripped to the waist and looking for trouble.

As he passed Mr Hewitt, a pure stranger, he pushed him off the pavement and into the roadway.

A few minutes later he ran after Mr Hewitt, a 53 year old man living in Dew Street, and delivered a blow that fractured his eye socket. Surgeons had to rebuild the socket using a metal plate and four screws.

Because Connolly had been running downhill, they said, he had been struck his victim ‘a 60mph blow.’

Judge Thomas said Connolly had been angry and frustrated, which could be seen by his behaviour inside a kebab shop and caught on a CCTV camera.

“This was gratuitous violence in a public place.

“You picked on a vulnerable man, someone who was clearly older than you and who posed absolutely no threat to you.

“You cowardly picked on a man who would not be able to prevent you from punching him,” added the judge.

John Hipkin, prosecuting, said the attack had left Mr Hewitt in fear of losing his sight. He also felt vulnerable and had not gone out at night for eight months after the assault.

Education

Milford Haven School issues heatwave update as temperatures soar

Published

44 minutes ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL has thanked pupils and staff for the way they have supported one another during the current heatwave.

The school said cooperation and care across the school community had been greatly appreciated.

With tomorrow (Jun 25) forecast to be the hottest day of the current spell, pupils are being asked to come prepared by bringing plenty of water, wearing sunscreen, and staying as protected from the sun as possible.

Pupils will also be permitted to wear their PE kit to help keep cool.

The school said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all necessary steps to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff.

Business

Main Street Music to close retail shop as owner focuses on handmade guitars

Published

49 minutes ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A POPULAR Pembrokeshire music shop is changing the way it operates, with Main Street Music confirming it will no longer trade as a retail shop from September 1.

The business said there will be an immediate 15% sale on all stock, but stressed that Main Street Music is not disappearing completely.

The owner said the decision had been made “with a heavy heart”, adding that the shop’s closure as a retail outlet would be a loss for Pembrokeshire as the county’s last professional guitar dealership.

He said his long-term passion had always been making musical instruments, something he had done since his teenage years, later receiving scholarships and a fellowship for his studies.

After college, he was given the opportunity to buy the business at the age of 24.

He said: “I have had an amazing time running this shop, giving it everything I’ve got, met some wonderful people and sold some incredible guitars.”

Although the business itself remains successful, he said tighter retail margins, dealership pressures and rising costs had made it difficult to grow in a way that would allow him to employ others and spend more time in the workshop.

The shop will eventually reopen as an appointment-only workshop and showroom for handmade guitars and repairs.

Current repair work will continue on a case-by-case basis by appointment only.

Main Street Music thanked customers for their support over recent years, saying the owner was proud of where the shop had been taken.

Caption:

Main Street Music will close as a retail shop from September 1, but will continue as an appointment-only workshop and showroom for handmade guitars and repairs.

News

Crackwell Street set to reopen after five-month closure

Published

2 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ROADWORKS linked to structural repairs at Goscar House in Tenby are nearing completion, with Crackwell Street expected to reopen to through traffic today (Wednesday, June 24).

Scaffolding has now been removed from the property, with contractors carrying out a general clearance of the area.

The road has been closed for around five months while structural repair work has been taking place.

Local residents, businesses and visitors are expected to welcome the reopening, with Crackwell Street forming an important route through the town.

Pembrokeshire County Council has indicated that, all being well, the road will reopen later today.

Gareth Davies, of Gareth Davies Photography Tenby, said it was “good to see the removal of scaffolding today and general clearance on the property”.

He added that locals and visitors would be “so pleased” to see the road open once again.

Photo caption:

Clearance work: Contractors at Crackwell Street, Tenby, as scaffolding is removed from Goscar House (Pic: Gareth Davies).