News

Pembroke Dock: Time suspended for Celia Parsley

Published

5 years ago

January 3, 2020

A REPEAT offender found herself back before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this Tuesday (Dec 31).

Celia Parsley, aged 45, of London Road, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to a single offence of shoplifting from Tesco in Haverfordwest, on December 14.

The Court heard Parsley had a significant history of offending.

The prosecutor, Ms Sian Vaughan told Magistrates that Parsley’s recent appearances included the imposition of a community order for shoplifting imposed on Oct 15.

Appearing for the Defence, Mr Jonathan Webb told the Court that the CPS file was not up to date, as his client had last appeared before the Court on December 10, when the community order imposed in October had been revoked and replaced with a new order of increased length.

On that occasion, Magistrates warned Parsley that any further offending would most likely result in a sentence of imprisonment.
Ms Vaughan told the Court that Parsley was spotted shoplifting on security cameras and because she had not removed security tags on the items she stole, set off the alarm when she tried to leave the store.

She told security staff she thought the goods had been paid for by her companion but subsequently accepted this was not the case.
Mitigating, Mr Webb outlined his client’s history of emotional and mental health, issues alongside her current attendance on a thinking skills programme. To date, he said, she had attended all appointments scheduled under the course.

Up until 2019, Jonathan Webb told the Court, the Defendant had not appeared before a Court since 2005. He suggested a relapse into drug use was responsible for the spate of offending and said this was scarcely a sophisticated offence and no goods were lost by Tesco.

Mr Webb explained that his client was receiving counselling for her drugs use. He urged Magistrates not to impose an immediate sentence of imprisonment. He added that his client was trying to move out of the area to get a fresh start.

The Bench decided to revoke the community order from December 10. In its place, Magistrates imposed a sentence of twenty weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months.

As a requirement of the sentence’s suspension, Magistrates ordered Parsley to attend probation for twenty rehabilitation days and that she continued on other programmes, including a thinking skills programme.

Magistrates also imposed a £122 victim surcharge and £85 costs. The fines were consolidated with other financial penalties already imposed and outstanding.

Crime

Goodwick man jailed for stealing prescription tablets from partner

Published

4 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Court Reporter

A 47-year-old man from Goodwick has been sentenced to jail after admitting to stealing his partner’s prescription medication.

Andrew Gibbs, of Allt Y Carne, appeared at Swansea Crown Court where he admitted taking four Pregabalin tablets from his long-term girlfriend on February 14.

Prosecuting, Alycia Carpanini told the court that Gibbs had taken the tablets while drinking in the living room earlier that day. He was arrested later that evening on unrelated matters, and officers found the medication in his possession.

During his arrest, Gibbs admitted aloud to police that he had stolen the tablets. He later confirmed the theft in a prepared statement during interview.

The court heard that Gibbs has a lengthy criminal history, with 35 previous convictions covering 68 offences. He had previously faced a series of serious allegations, including actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation against his partner, as well as two further assaults. However, those charges were dropped after the complainants chose not to support the prosecution.

In mitigation, defence barrister Dan Griffiths said his client had been cooperative with police from the outset and had already spent time in custody since his arrest.

Judge Paul Thomas KC imposed a 14-day custodial sentence for the theft, acknowledging the time Gibbs had already spent on remand. He will be released shortly under supervision.

Community

PCSOs and pupils join forces for Pembroke Dock litter pick

Published

4 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE Community Support Officers (PCSOs) 8042 and 8020 joined staff at McDonald’s and Year 5 and 6 pupils from Cosheston VC School for a community litter pick around Pembroke Dock.

As part of the school’s ongoing environmental project, the pupils helped collect seven bags of rubbish while keeping a detailed log of the types of litter found.

PCSOs are uniformed civilian members of police staff who work to support regular police officers and engage with the community. Their involvement helped promote positive relationships between local police and young people.

The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of looking after the local environment and encouraged children to take pride in their community.

Members of the public are reminded to dispose of their waste responsibly and use the bins provided.

Community

Joyce Watson meets apprentices at Haverfordwest transport hub

Published

4 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A VISIT to the site of the new Haverfordwest public transport interchange has highlighted the role of apprentices and skilled workers in delivering the major infrastructure project.

Joyce Watson MS, who represents Mid and West Wales in the Senedd, toured the construction site on Friday (Mar 21), meeting with workers and hearing how the scheme is creating opportunities for local people.

Mrs Watson, who chairs the Senedd cross-party group on construction and co-chairs the cross-party group on apprenticeships, was briefed on progress by Kier Construction’s project manager Dean Williams and Sheila Holmes, engagement adviser for the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

Speaking following the visit, Mrs Watson said: “The Haverfordwest public transport interchange will transform the town’s transportation infrastructure and boost the local economy.
“With around a year’s work still to go, it’s already offering high-quality job opportunities, and I was delighted to meet the talented apprentices working on-site.”

Among those she met was Matthew Thomas, a local trainee working on the project.
Mrs Watson added: “It was a pleasure to meet Matthew, and I believe he has a great future ahead of him.”

Dean Williams, from Kier Construction, said: “It was great to welcome Joyce Watson MS for a tour of our Haverfordwest public transport interchange project. This scheme for Pembrokeshire County Council will deliver a modern transport hub for the local community, improving connectivity and accessibility for residents and visitors alike.”

CITB’s Sheila Holmes added: “We are pleased to be supporting Kier Construction in developing their supply chain for this infrastructure scheme. By doing so, we can invest in local skills, which are vital to the sector and to the regional economy. Projects like this help ensure we meet future skills demands.”

The interchange is part of the Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro programme and has so far received nearly £17 million from the Welsh Government’s Local Transport Fund.

Once completed, the new facility will include improved pedestrian and cycle access, a more efficient bus station with seven bays and upgraded passenger facilities, and a modern multi-storey car park.

The scheme is commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council as part of its town centre regeneration strategy.

The visit was organised as part of Open Doors, a national initiative by Build UK that takes visitors behind the scenes at live construction sites to showcase the range of careers in the industry.