News

Thief told to make charity donation

Published

12 years ago

February 6, 2014

A HAVERFORDWEST man who stole artificial flowers from a High Street charity shop appeared before the town’s magistrates on Tuesday.

Robert Anthony Parker, aged 30, of Dew Street, appeared before the court on five charges of shoplifting from various shops in the town.

Parker pleaded guilty to all of the charges. He was charged with stealing hair straightners and make up valued at £51.82 from Wilkinsons on January 3; stealing a bottle of Sidekick from Savers valued at £4.98; and to stealing artificial flowers from Barnados Charity Shop on January 5; stealing a snow shovel valued at £6 from Tesco Haverfordwest on January 15; and stealing food and magazines valued at £18 from the Murco Garage in Haverfordwest.

Prosecuting, Lesley Harbon told the court that the defendant had entered the Wilkinson store and was captured on CCTV putting hair straightners and make up in his coat pocket. She continued saying that on the afternoon of January 16 the defendant walked into the Murco garage and walked out without paying for a pasty, sandwiches and magazines. On being stopped by staff he simply left without paying and ignored the member of staff.

Defending, Mark Layton told the court: “Drink is the problem with the defendant, he had been settled for a while, the ball is well and truly in his court”.

On placing Parker on a 12 month community and supervision orders, he was also told not to enter licenced premises and was placed on an alcohol activity requirement order.

Parker was also fined a total of £225.50 which he agreed to pay fortnightly and was told that he should go and make a donation to the Barnados shop. “We don’t want to see you back”, magistrates told him.

Charity

Christmas jumper fundraiser raises £360 for youth counselling

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.