Alexander Campbell and Jonathan Garland admitted sending a menacing message after claiming they knew people in jail who could kill James Kershaw

A COURT has heard how two men left a threatening voice message in which they claimed they knew people in prison who could kill a man’s son.

Alexander Campbell and Jonathan Garland made the call to Robert Kershaw in the early hours of December 21, 2024.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the pair told Mr Kershaw they knew which prison his son, James, was in and claimed they had contacts who could arrange for him to be killed.

In the voice message, which was played to the court, the men could be heard saying: “Are you a paedophile, Mr Kershaw?

“I know exactly who your son is. I know everything.

“Are you crying? I know people in jail who will kill your son. I know exactly which prison he’s in. He’s going to get killed.”

Crown prosecutor Sian Vaughan said Mr Kershaw had received two earlier calls that night.

The first came from a withheld number and claimed his son was critically ill in prison. When Mr Kershaw contacted the prison, he was told his son was in good health.

Minutes later, he received another call in which a voice said: “Please help me.”

“He knew it wasn’t his son,” said Ms Vaughan.

“When he received the third call, he recorded it and contacted his son, who recognised the voices as those of the defendants.”

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Kershaw said the incident had caused him “extreme anxiety”.

“While these people are at large, I don’t feel safe in my own home,” he said.

Campbell, 30, who is currently serving a custodial sentence for assaulting a woman and two police officers, and Garland, 36, of Coombs Road, Milford Haven, both pleaded guilty to sending an offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing message by a public communication network.

Campbell was represented by Michael Kelleher, who told the court his client had been struggling with alcohol at the time of the offence.

“Both defendants egged each other on, and things were said that would never have been carried out,” he said.

“But he accepts what they said would have caused anxiety, concern and worry.”

Mr Kelleher said Campbell was making progress in tackling his alcohol issues while in custody.

“He has now had time to reflect and he wants to turn his life around when he gets out,” he said.

“He realises alcohol has been a problem throughout his life and he has lost years of his life as a result of his alcohol abuse. He is hoping that, upon release, his sobriety will continue.”

Garland’s solicitor, Tom Lloyd, described his client’s actions as “a moment of madness”.

“This is a man of completely clean character who has never before appeared before a court,” he said.

“Alexander Campbell was far more involved and my client’s level of involvement was considerably less.

“He is remorseful for what took place. This was a moment of madness and he was in a bad place at the time.”

Probation officer Julie Norman told the court that Garland had been under the influence of alcohol when the call was made.

“At the time of this offence, the defendant was associating with the co-defendant and they both made the telephone call while under the influence of alcohol,” she said.

“Since that day, he hasn’t consumed alcohol and he doesn’t use drugs.”

Campbell was sentenced to ten weeks in custody, to run concurrently with his existing prison sentence. He was ordered to pay an £85 contribution towards prosecution costs and a £15 surcharge.

Garland was fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 costs and an £80 surcharge.

A restraining order was imposed on both defendants, preventing them from having any direct or indirect contact with Robert Kershaw.

The order also prevents them from entering the victim’s home address and from entering any data relating directly or indirectly to the victim on any electronic device.

James Kershaw has been released from prison but is now facing new charges including an allegation of rape. He will appear at Swansea Crown Court next month. In addition, he is to appear at the same crown court later this year on separate charges of alleged online sexual activity with a child.

A BOOK signed by Sir Paul McCartney has raised almost £1,000 for charity after being donated to an Oxfam shop in Ceredigion.

The copy of Paul McCartney In His Own Words, a collection of interviews with the former Beatle, was handed in to the Oxfam shop in Aberystwyth as part of a wider collection of 1970s memorabilia.

It remained on a shelf for several months before shop manager Joan Randle discovered the inscription while sorting through the items.

The book was later sold at auction through Bonhams, raising £950 for Oxfam.

Ms Randle said the discovery was one of the highlights of her decade working at the shop.

She said: “The book had actually been sitting on a shelf for a few months alongside lots of other 1970s memorabilia.

“I’d been planning to use some of the items in a fun window display, so it wasn’t something we’d paid particular attention to at first.

“One afternoon I found myself with a bit of spare time and decided to work my way through the pile. It was one of the very last things I looked at.

“When I opened the book and saw Paul McCartney’s signature, I could hardly believe it. It was one of the best moments of my 10 years working in the shop.”

The book is signed on the inside front cover in black ballpoint pen with the message: “All the best! to ye!”

Oxfam staff have so far been unable to trace the person who donated the book.

An Oxfam spokesperson said the sale showed how valuable donations to charity shops can be.

They said: “This is a fantastic example of how a single donation can make a real difference.

“We’ve just launched an emergency appeal following the devastating earthquake in Venezuela and every donation to our shops helps ensure Oxfam can respond when communities are hit by disasters around the world.

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who donates to Oxfam.

“Whether it’s a signed collectible, a well-loved book or an everyday item, every donation and every sale helps us stand with people when they need it most.”

Judge says 75-year-old Stewart Laugharne behaved ‘disgracefully’ as he avoids jail but is ordered to sign sex offenders register

A MILFORD HAVEN pensioner has avoided jail after exposing himself to women on two separate occasions near his home.

Stewart Laugharne, 75, of Dairy Park Grove, Hakin, appeared before Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday, June 30, after pleading guilty to two counts of exposure.

Sian Cutter, prosecuting, told the court the offences took place weeks apart in August 2025.

On the first occasion, Laugharne was seen naked near his home and thrust his hips towards a woman who was walking alone.

On the second occasion, a woman was walking with her baby when Laugharne called out to the child in an apparent attempt to get the mother’s attention. When she looked over, she saw Laugharne naked and again thrusting his hips.

The court heard that children had been present, although it was not believed they had seen Laugharne without his clothes on.

Laugharne had one previous conviction for an unrelated matter dating back more than 40 years, to 1980.

Sarah John, representing him, said Laugharne had lived a law-abiding life for the majority of his years and was capable of leading a “pro-social lifestyle”.

The court heard that Laugharne had endured a difficult childhood after being adopted, had never met his biological mother, and had been physically assaulted by his adoptive mother.

His barrister added that Laugharne now leads a lonely existence, is estranged from his three children, and has no partner.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told Laugharne: “You behaved quite disgracefully.

“On one occasion, you also thrust your hips forward.

“You can only be described as a dirty old man.”

The judge imposed a two-year community order, with Laugharne required to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity. He must also sign the sex offenders register for five years and pay a victim surcharge.

Judge Thomas warned him: “This court is determined that this offending will not occur again.

“It was clearly persistent behaviour on your behalf.

“There will be a different outcome if you were to be so foolish as to repeat it.

“It will not end well for you if you come back to court, Mr Laugharne.”

The case first came before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court in December last year, when Laugharne, then aged 74, denied both charges.

Although the Crown Prosecution Service had indicated the case was suitable to be dealt with by magistrates, Laugharne elected trial by jury and the case was sent to Swansea Crown Court, where he later admitted the offences..