News

Milford Haven: Jaw dropping discovery

Published

8 years ago

June 14, 2018

A SHARK being billed as the ‘largest fish to come out of Welsh waters’ was caught off Milford Haven on Tuesday (Jun 12).

A 324lb (147kg) porbeagle was caught by Phatcat Charters as they started their sharking season.

The porbeagle is a species of mackerel shark and is the UK’s biggest game fish. They typically reach 8.2ft (2.5m) in length and a weight of 298lb (135kg) making the 324lb shark a particularly large catch.

Mathew Burrett had made the long journey down from Scotland for his fourth trip out with Phatcat Charters, having a long battle with the fish reeling it in. After a few pictures, the fish was released to go on her way, as were another two porbeagles and two blue sharks.

Skipper Craig Dean said: “I’ve been told it was the largest fish to come out of Welsh waters. We didn’t realise how big it was until it was on the boat.”

Phatcat is a 10m Cougar catamaran, that provides charter fishing trips out of Milford Haven Marina from June to September, and Cardiff Marina the rest of the year.

They have been fishing in Milford Haven for roughly five years, with Skipper Craig Deans saying: “It has the best shark fishing in Europe, warm waters off the gulf stream which are also rich in nutrients.

“After the Welsh record thresher three years ago, and now this, it is putting Milford Haven on the map.”

Phatcat have a successful record in catching sharks, with 65 caught in a single day in the 2014 season, with weights in excess of 100lbs. Phatcat operates a strict catch and release policy when shark fishing in order to conserve stocks and to treat the creatures with respect. Barb-free hooks and a special hook extraction tool ensure the release of the shark is as pain-free as possible.

Alongside the porbeagle, blue sharks, makos and threshers have been caught off Milford Haven.

Craig Deans is the experienced charter boat skipper, who encourages anyone to try it, whether you are an experienced boat angler or a complete beginner. Trips leave from Milford Haven mackerel stage, Nelson Quay.

Crime

Man sentenced for stalking Milford Haven woman

Published

9 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates

A MAN has been sentenced after admitting stalking a woman in Milford Haven.

Andrew Richards, 39, of High Street, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

Richards had previously pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

The court heard that between December 2, 2025 and February 15, 2026, he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of Tamsin Matthias and which he knew, or ought to have known, amounted to harassment.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until September 8, 2027.

As part of the order, Richards must undertake alcohol treatment for nine months under the direction of the probation service.

He must also complete up to twenty days of rehabilitation activity as directed by probation.

Richards was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £500 compensation to the victim, £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court made a restraining order lasting until September 8, 2027.

Under the order, Richards must not contact the victim directly or indirectly and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material on social media or the internet referring to her directly or indirectly.

The court heard a victim personal statement from the complainant, which was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was prosecuted by Dennis Davies, with Richards represented by Mike Kelleher.

The hearing was before magistrates Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.

Crime

Man, 80, sentenced for stalking after campaign of unwanted emails and posters

Published

9 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed after Haverfordwest case

A MAN has been sentenced for stalking after admitting a campaign of unwanted contact and harassment in Haverfordwest.

Michael Lockheart, 80, of Daisy Lane, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

The court had previously heard that between July 27 and September 10, 2025, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to stalking.

The offence involved sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop making contact, putting up defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to the complainant’s GP and local authority.

Lockheart had entered a guilty plea to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, on January 27, 2026.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until March 8, 2028.

As part of that order, Lockheart must undergo non-residential mental health treatment for 12 months under Dr Cormac Duffy, as directed by probation.

He must also complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

Lockheart was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, a £600 fine, £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court also made a restraining order lasting until March 8, 2028.

Under that order, he must not seek, approach or communicate with the complainant by any means, directly or indirectly. He must not knowingly enter any address where she is living, and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material online or on social media referring to her directly or by implication.

A victim personal statement was read to the court by the prosecutor.