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Crime

Milford Haven man who assaulted partner is sentenced to prison

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A MILFORD Haven man has been reprimanded by a Crown Court judge for ‘demeaning’ his partner during a prolonged and persistent attack. 

Warren Harper, 30, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Aug 30) via video link, after pleading guilty to a charge of assaulting his partner, causing actual bodily harm. 

Dressed in a dark blue shirt, he listened as barrister Sian Cutter, prosecuting for the Crown, described the events on the night of July 3. 

Harper had been drinking in Milford Haven with his partner, Demi Oliver. 

At approximately 11.p.m an argument broke out between the pair. Ms Oliver left the scene and returned home. Harper was waiting for her when she arrived.

Sian Cutter said: “They immediately got into an argument and the defendant held his hand over her mouth, held her down and squeezed her to the face to the point where she was unable to breathe properly,”

“He then grabbed her by her arms and pulled her hair, resulting in some of it falling out.”

Ms Oliver managed to escape from the property and ran to a neighbour’s house for help.

She suffered bruising to both her eyes, bruising to her right arm, right leg and beneath her chin as a result of the assault. She also sustained scratches to her hands, a cut to her top lip, and large abrasions across her back.

Harper has three prior convictions for battery against two of his former partners, according to the Crown.

Jon Tarrant, representing Harper, said: “This particular relationship was going quite well, but what caused this incident was the alcohol which is his predominant problem.”

While addressing Harper, Judge Huw Rees told him that his behaviour towards women is unacceptable. 

“You must understand that when you attack women in this way, as you have done on three separate occasions to two other partners, you demean them as women,” he said.

“You also demean yourself as a human being.”

Harper was sentenced to 20 months in custody, half of which will be spent in prison while the remainder will be spent on probation.

“This assault was on a vulnerable woman in the confines of her own home,” said Judge Huw Rees.

“If you don’t watch what you do in the future as far as assaulting women is concerned, your sentences will increase incrementally.

“And you’ll now have time to consider this during the sentence which I’ve decided to impose.”

Crime

Woman denies using sock filled with snooker balls in street fight

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A 37-YEAR-OLD woman from Pembroke Dock has denied possessing a sock stuffed with snooker balls during an alleged town centre street fight.

Frances Wallace, of King Street, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week charged with possession of an offensive weapon and using unlawful violence towards others during an incident in Pembroke Dock on June 15, 2024.

She is accused of arming herself with the makeshift weapon—a sock containing snooker balls—during what prosecutors described as a “serious public order offence” witnessed by around 20 members of the public.

Also in the dock was Stephen Charge, 52, of Pembroke Street, Pembroke Dock, who faces a single charge of using threatening and unlawful violence. He entered no plea.

Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told the court: “Both defendants were involved in a street fight that took place in Pembroke Dock. Police carried out extensive investigations, including reviewing video footage, which showed Frances Wallace armed herself with the sock containing snooker balls and used it as a weapon.

“You can imagine what it must have been like in Pembroke Dock at the time.”

Magistrates declined jurisdiction due to the seriousness of the case and it will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on June 20.

Both defendants were released on unconditional bail.

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Crime

Country sportsman loses gun licence after drug-driving conviction

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A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been forced to surrender his firearms licence after testing positive for a cocaine derivative while behind the wheel.

Shane Beynon, 50, was stopped by police on Clay Lane, Hundleton, on November 8, 2024. Subsequent tests revealed 240 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a cocaine metabolite – in his system. The legal limit is 50.

This week, Beynon, of Hean Castle, Saundersfoot, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

“He doesn’t take cocaine and is very surprised this was found in his system,” said defence solicitor Michael Kelleher. “He’d been out the night before, but he accepts that no one is going to come to court and say they spiked his drink.”

Mr Kelleher told the court that the mandatory driving ban would have a significant impact on Beynon, both professionally and personally.

“He is a self-employed fencing contractor who relies on his vehicle, and he’s also a keen shooter. As a result of this charge, he’s had to surrender his firearms to the police,” he added. “The future is very uncertain for him.”

Magistrates disqualified Beynon from driving for 12 months. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £120 victim surcharge.

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Crime

Scrap metal collector’s ‘disastrous’ decision ends in court

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A DECISION to drive onto the Pembroke Dock to Rosslare ferry route after consuming alcohol has been described in court as a “complete and utter disaster” for Cardiff man Charles O’Brien.

The 39-year-old was stopped by police on May 3 and tested positive during a roadside breath test. He was taken to Haverfordwest police station for further analysis.

“But he was unable to blow long enough for the machine to register,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest magistrates this week. “As a result, he failed to provide a specimen for analysis.”

O’Brien, of Grangetown, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen. He was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher.

“This was a complete and utter disaster,” said Mr Kelleher. “He took his vehicle into the restricted port area. While it is not open to general members of the public, the offence still applies.”

The court heard that O’Brien is self-employed as a scrap metal collector.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for 12 months. He was also fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

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