Magistrates hear Pembroke Dock man threatened worker and was later banned from the store

A MAN has been banned from Tesco in Pembroke Dock after hurling abuse at a female security guard and shoving her in the chest, magistrates have heard.

Alexander Clark, 49, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where CCTV footage of the incident on February 5 was shown.

Prosecutor Linda Baker said Clark strode up to the security guard, poked her in the chest and nudged her with his left shoulder.

“He also began shouting at her, calling her a stupid c***,” she told the court.

“He said, ‘Your dad’s a rapist and you know what we do to them? We kill them.’”

In mitigation, Clark’s solicitor, Alaw Harries, said the defendant did not know the security guard and described the assault as being at the lower end of the scale.

“The CCTV footage demonstrates this was a very low-level assault and no injuries were caused to the complainant,” she said.

“It was a poke and a shove and the force used was very limited.

“But the defendant is extremely sorry for his behaviour that day.”

The court heard that Clark, who is of no fixed abode, has since been banned from the Tesco store as a result of the incident.

Clark pleaded guilty to assaulting the security guard by beating and to using threatening and abusive words and behaviour.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £50 compensation to the security guard, £85 in court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Sentencing him, the presiding magistrate said: “What you said to that lady was completely inappropriate, particularly when she was at work doing her job.

“Don’t do it again.”

Solicitor tells court Pembroke Dock driver was under severe stress over wife living and working in Qatar

A PEMBROKE DOCK man who was more than twice the legal drink-drive limit blamed his actions on mounting fears over the situation in the Middle East, a court has heard.

Mykhaylo Omelchuk, 41, was stopped by police shortly before 11:00pm on March 29 after a member of the public reported concerns about his manner of driving.

Officers found him driving a Vauxhall Astra near his home in Front Street, Pembroke Dock. After he gave a positive roadside breath test, he was taken to the police station where a further test showed he had 83 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that Omelchuk’s solicitor, Michael Kelleher, said the defendant had been under significant strain because his wife is currently living and working in Qatar.

“It’s hardly surprising that, given what’s happening in the Middle East, Mr Omelchuk is extremely stressed,” he told the court.

“On this occasion, he allowed the stress to get to him and this led to him drinking and driving.”

The court was told that Omelchuk has one previous drink-driving conviction, imposed in October 2023.

Mr Kelleher said his client “deeply regrets” his actions and submitted a number of references for the magistrates to consider before passing sentence.

“The references show a very different person to the person who is appearing in court today,” he said.

After the mitigation was completed, Omelchuk asked if he could address the magistrates personally from the dock.

“I deeply regret my actions and I’m taking steps to ensure that this will never happen again,” he said.

Omelchuk pleaded guilty to the charge of drink-driving.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for 20 months. He was also fined £480 and ordered to pay a £192 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

Family-friendly spring event will bring together local growers, craftspeople, food and live entertainment

GREEN fingers and creative talents will come together in Narberth next month as West Wales’ popular Big Plant Sale returns for 2026.

The event will take place at Narberth CP School on Saturday, May 2, offering visitors the chance to browse a wide range of plants, locally made crafts and eco-friendly products.

Organised with support from SPAN Arts, the annual sale has become one of the first major plant events of the season in the area, attracting gardeners of all ages and experience levels.

Stallholders are expected to offer everything from windowsill succulents and young seedlings to unusual and specialist plants, giving visitors plenty of choice as they prepare their homes and gardens for spring and summer.

Alongside the plants, there will also be a craft fair featuring handmade and environmentally conscious products, including soaps, textiles and wooden items made by local producers.

Organisers say the event is designed to be more than just a market, with locally produced food, live music and entertainment helping to create a lively and welcoming atmosphere for families and visitors of all ages.

SPAN Arts is also inviting local growers, nurseries, craftspeople and makers to get involved, particularly those working with sustainable and eco-friendly products.

The Big Plant Sale will run from 10:00am until 3:00pm at Narberth CP School, Jesse Road, Narberth, SA67 7FE. Visitors are asked to make a suggested £2 donation on entry.

Anyone interested in booking a stall can contact [email protected].

SPAN Arts, which is based in Narberth, has spent 30 years supporting arts and community projects across Pembrokeshire. The charity runs a broad programme of music, theatre, comedy and wellbeing activities, with a focus on reducing rural isolation and improving access to the arts.

For more information about the event, contact SPAN Arts on 01834 869323 or email [email protected].