Crime

Homeless man threatened to slit the throats of Haverfordwest Job Centre staff

Published

4 years ago

January 12, 2022

A HOMELESS man who threatened to slit the throats of staff working at the Haverfordwest Job Centre and hurl a brick through their office window has been ordered to carry out a 12-month community order.

Admitting the charge of conveying a threatening message before Haverfordwest magistrates this week was Darren Connolly, 37, who now resides at Charles Street, Milford Haven.

The court heard that on November 5, a Job Centre employee, was working from home when she received a message from Connolly was concerned about the recent cut in his Universal Credit. “He started making threats towards the staff at the Haverfordwest office saying he’d slit their throats in the car park and throw a brick through the window,” said Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker. Ms Baker went on to say that officers subsequently discovered Connolly sleeping rough in a tent on Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven, where they found him in possession of herbal cannabis valued at £4. Connolly pleaded guilty to the charge of drug possession.

Representing the defendant, Mr Tom Lloyd said his client was currently struggling to cope. “All his support has ended and it’s proving very difficult for him,” he said. “He had no intention of carrying out any threats of this nature, he had nowhere to live, he consumed alcohol and he lashed out. He wants support, he needs support and he’ll comply with anything that you ask him to do”

In addition to the community order which requires him to a carry out 10 days of rehabilitation, he was fined £80, ordered to pay £85 costs and a £95 surcharge. A destruction order was imposed on his cannabis.

Crime

Accused Milford Haven rapist to stand trial at Crown Court

Published

4 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared before magistrates accused of rape and sexual assault.

James Kershaw, 46, is charged with raping a woman in Milford Haven between February 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014.

He also faces a charge of sexually assaulting a female over the age of 13 by penetration with his finger between December 1 and December 30, 2012.

Kershaw appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 23) by video link and denied both charges.

Due to the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to Swansea Crown Court, where Kershaw is due to appear for a pre-trial hearing on July 24.

He was released on conditional bail, with the sole condition that he must not contact the complainant.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

3 days ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

3 days ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.