Crime
Prove job losses or face jail time, judge tells businessman

LAYTON NOLAN, a local business owner from Victoria Road, Pembroke Dock, appeared in Swansea Crown Court today, Monday, in front of Judge His Honour Paul Thomas KC for sentencing.
Nolan pleaded guilty to one charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice at the higher court and was subsequently convicted of assault charges at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court.
During the hearing, it was revealed that three of the assaults took place in Pembroke Dock in July, while the fourth occurred at the Bluestone holiday resort in August of the previous year.
The court heard that the assaults were inflicted upon Nolan’s partner.
According to the testimony presented, the couple was en route to Bluestone when they engaged in an argument, resulting in Nolan becoming verbally abusive.
As tensions escalated, he began driving erratically, prompting his partner to pull up the handbrake. In a disturbing turn of events, Nolan proceeded to physically assault her, punching and slapping her legs as she cowered.
Upon their arrival at the resort, a concerned staff member noticed the distressing state of Nolan’s partner and witnessed him forcefully pushing her into nearby bushes.
The court was informed that the July assaults involved incidents where perfume was sprayed into the victim’s eyes during an argument, she was pushed causing injuries to her arm and thigh, and she was slapped on the right cheek while also being kicked in the leg.
Despite being found guilty after trial, Nolan continued to deny the assault charges, as revealed during the proceedings.
Subsequently, following the victim’s visit to the police, Nolan contacted her via phone, urging her to withdraw the charges and even offering her financial compensation during their conversation.
Furthermore, he had previously contacted the victim’s sister, requesting her to retract her witness statement.
In Nolan’s defence, his counsel, Amelia Pike, highlighted that he had previously maintained a clean record. Nolan acknowledged that he had indeed attempted to pervert the course of justice and expressed remorse for his actions.
He claimed that at the time, he was unaware that he was committing an offence, given that he had been initially released without charge and the victim had initiated the contact.
He admitted his own foolishness in this regard.
Pike also acknowledged the toxic nature of the relationship and argued that Nolan should have ended it earlier.
She further revealed that Nolan had grown up in an environment marked by regular domestic violence, which had a lasting impact on him.
Additionally, he was under medication for anxiety and depression.
It was also revealed during the hearing that Nolan is the proprietor of a company engaged in the sale of life insurance, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Pike emphasised that if Nolan were to be incarcerated for attempting to pervert the course of justice, the company would be forced to shut down, resulting in the loss of ten jobs.
Judge Thomas acknowledged that the probation service’s pre-sentence report had provided minimal information regarding the potential job losses.
However, he stated that if substantiated evidence were presented within the next two weeks, he would consider it during the sentencing.
Judge Thomas cautioned that should this proof not be provided, Nolan could face an additional charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
“I was about to send you to prison for several months,” Judge Thomas stated, “But I will give you the opportunity to prove that you have ten employees.”
Consequently, the sentencing was adjourned for two weeks, and Nolan was remanded in custody until the next hearing. During this period, he must provide independently verified evidence to support his claim of job losses within his company.
The court awaits the forthcoming evidence, which will play a significant role in determining Nolan’s ultimate fate in this case.
Crime
Police investigate alleged assault at Milford Haven property

OFFICERS from Dyfed-Powys Police have been maintaining a presence at a property on Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, as part of an ongoing investigation into an assault.
The Herald understands that the front door of the property has been boarded up with plywood, prompting concern and speculation from local residents.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Officers have been undertaking scene preservation in relation to an investigation of assault.”
No further details have been released at this stage, and it is not yet known whether any arrests have been made.
Residents told The Herald they noticed police activity at the address earlier this week, with officers attending the property and cordoning off the area.
The Herald will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Crime
Newcastle Emlyn man admits to attempted murder of baby

A MAN from Cwm Cou, Newcastle Emlyn has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a baby.
Rhydian Jamieson, aged 28, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Apr 10), where he admitted to trying to kill the infant, who cannot be named for legal reasons.
The offence took place at an address in Y Ferwig, near Cardigan, just before 10:15pm on Wednesday, January 15.
Police responded to reports concerning the welfare of a child, and the baby was taken straight to hospital.
Jamieson was arrested at the scene and later charged.
At an earlier hearing, concerns had been raised about whether he was fit to stand trial. A provisional date had been set for September 1, but this has now been cancelled following his guilty plea.
Judge Paul Thomas KC remanded Jamieson into custody and said he would be sentenced on May 27.
Caroline Rees KC appeared for the prosecution, with John Hipkin KC defending.
Crime
Teen drug dealers admit handgun plot — Mercedes crash youth facing jail

TWO teenagers have now fully admitted being involved in cocaine dealing and conspiring to obtain a handgun — including a youth who crashed a stolen Mercedes-Benz into a house in Milford Haven last year.
Harrison Billing, 18, of Jury Lane, Haverfordwest, and Danhiellen Raji, 18, of no fixed abode, appeared again at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Apr 4) for an adjourned plea and trial preparation hearing.
Billing had already admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine between January 14 and February 13 this year, as well as conspiring to possess a handgun without a firearms certificate. He also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine on February 12, and denied a charge of possessing a knife on the A477 in Pembrokeshire on the same day.
The court heard that the Crown Prosecution Service had now accepted his not guilty plea to the knife charge, and Judge Catherine Richards entered a formal not guilty verdict.
Raji, who had originally denied possession with intent to supply cocaine on February 12, changed his plea to guilty at the hearing. He had already admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and the firearm conspiracy, and had pleaded guilty to possessing a knife on the A477.
Prosecutor Ashanti-Jade Walton confirmed that no trial would be required for Raji or Billing, and that the Crown would proceed to sentencing.
The court was told that pre-sentence reports would be prepared for both defendants. Judge Richards warned Billing that he should expect an immediate custodial sentence. “He’s fully aware of that,” said his barrister, Dyfed Thomas.
Billing is known locally for a dramatic crash on Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven, in December 2024, when he ploughed a Mercedes-Benz into a house during a high-speed police pursuit. A large zombie knife was discovered on the road near the scene the following day and was later recovered by officers.
The pair’s co-defendants — Casey Gregory, 28, of Cromwell Heights, Milford Haven, and John Phillips, 36, of Pen Puffin, Steynton — continue to deny charges of possession with intent to supply cocaine and a lesser alternative of simple possession.
Phillips has admitted a separate charge of possessing cannabis.
Gregory and Phillips were re-admitted to bail, with their trial scheduled to begin on August 4. Billing and Raji remain remanded in custody and will be sentenced following the outcome of that trial.
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