News
Men jailed for stealing 2,000 litres of diesel
THE FIRST conviction for ‘hot tapping’ in Wales has been made following an incident in Pembrokeshire where 2,000 litres of diesel were stolen.
Iulian Neacsu, aged 21, received a 21 month sentence for damage to and theft from the pipeline. Nicolae Petre, aged 36 and Constantin Dumitrescu, aged 31, both received nine month sentences for going equipped.
They changed their pleas to guilty on the second day of their trial and were sentenced at Swansea Crown Court.
Dyfed-Powys Police worked closely with the National Crime Agency, North Wales Police and West Mercia Police to investigate the incident and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which forms part of the national Operation Methane.
Examination of the remote location where the hot tapping occurred led to a number of items of interest, including a receipt that belonged to one of the offenders, being recovered.
Detective Sergeant Dale Scriven said: “This is a significant outcome for Dyfed-Powys Police and for Wales. Not only were we able to secure convictions for going equipped, but for damage and theft from the pipeline.
“We had to work fast time in this investigation to catch the offenders before they were able to disappear from our radar.
“A golden nugget was the finding of the receipt at the scene of the crime, along with other items of forensic interest.
“Some excellent Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) work was carried out, which allowed us to track the offenders’ vehicle as they attempted to get away from the scene. By tracking the car’s movements and working with our neighbouring police forces, we were then able to stop the care on the A483 in Llanymynech and make the arrests.
“I hope this delivers a clear strong message to anyone else involved in this type of criminality not to come to Dyfed-Powys. We are not an easy option and we will follow all lines of enquiry to catch offenders.”
Crime
Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges
Defendant remanded in custody
A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of serious allegations following his appearance in the latest magistrates’ court register.
David Guy, 49, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared in court facing multiple charges, all of which have now been deemed too serious for summary trial.
Multiple charges listed in register
The new magistrates’ register shows Guy charged with several offences arising from the same case file. Although individual charge descriptions were not expanded in open court, the register confirms the allegations include:
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
- A second assault charge
- Criminal damage
- A further interpersonal violence allegation
- A public order offence
All entries relate to the same incident and prosecution reference, presented as a multi-count case.
Defendant remanded into custody
Magistrates ruled that their sentencing powers were insufficient and sent the entire case to Swansea Crown Court for trial.
Guy was remanded in custody, with the register stating: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”
A hearing date will now be fixed administratively by the Crown Court. Until then, Guy remains remanded.
The Herald will provide updates once the Crown Court listing is confirmed.
Crime
Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults
Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing
A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string of alleged offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.
Anthony Alcock, 40, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, faces six linked charges arising from incidents reported to have taken place earlier this year. Alcock, who did not enter pleas during the administrative hearings, appeared on several occasions as the court dealt with bail issues and case management.
- Multiple assault allegations
- The charges listed before magistrates include:
- Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
- Intentional strangulation
- Common assault of a woman
- Criminal damage relating to a domestic incident
- Further assault allegations linked to the same complainant
- A breach of bail conditions
The court heard that Alcock had previously been granted conditional bail. However, he was brought back before magistrates twice during the same reporting period for alleged breaches of those conditions, resulting in updated bail decisions.
Bail breached — defendant remanded
On two separate entries in the court register, Alcock was listed as having breached his bail, leading magistrates to remand him into custody pending the next hearing. On other dates within the same week, he was again re-released on conditional bail, with strict terms imposed, including restrictions on contact with the complainant and exclusions from certain locations.
He is now remanded on conditional bail with his next appearance set for Swansea Crown Court, where the more serious matters — including the alleged non-fatal strangulation — will be dealt with.
Case sent to Crown Court
Magistrates directed that the case is too serious to be heard locally and must proceed to the Crown Court for trial or sentence.
The Herald understands that all listed charges fall under the same prosecution reference, indicating they form part of a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution. No further details were opened in court at this stage.
Crime
Rogue roofer conned homeowner out of thousands
Caerphilly investigation leads to court conviction
A ROGUE trader from Pembroke has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after duping a homeowner into handing over thousands for unnecessary roofing work.
Douggie Whitbread, aged twenty-five and living at Coldwell Terrace, Pembroke, persuaded his victim that he “probably needed a new roof” before charging £4,350 for work that was either unnecessary or not carried out properly.
Whitbread admitted two counts of fraud relating to a property on Griffiths Street, Ystrad Mynach, with the offences taking place between August 12 and October 16, 2023.
He appeared before Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court, where he was ordered to pay a total of £6,130. That includes £4,350 in compensation, £1,500 in prosecution costs, a £200 fine, and an £80 victim surcharge.
The case was brought following an investigation by Caerphilly Trading Standards, who urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited offers of home maintenance work.
-
Crime5 days agoPhillips found guilty of raping baby in “worst case” judge has ever dealt with
-
Crime4 days agoKilgetty scaffolder sentenced after driving with cocaine and in system
-
Crime4 days agoHousing site director sentenced after failing to provide breath sample following crash
-
Crime4 days agoMotorist banned for three years after driving with cannabis in system
-
Education3 days agoTeaching assistant struck off after asking pupil for photos of her body
-
Crime1 day agoMan spared jail after baseball bat incident in Milford Haven
-
News6 days agoJury retires tomorrow in harrowing Baby C rape trial
-
Crime5 days agoMilford Haven pensioner denies exposure charges





