News

Loud music case shows ‘commitment to tackle anti-social behaviour’

Published

3 years ago

September 7, 2023

THE PROSECUTION of a woman who ignored an order to stop playing loud music shows Pembrokeshire County Council’s determination to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, a Cabinet Member has said.

Cllr Michelle Bateman, the Cabinet Member for Housing Operations and Regulatory Services, welcomed the successful prosecution of Gemma Hughes of Howarth Close, Milford Haven.

Hughes had been served a noise abatement notice by the Council for repeatedly playing music loudly, often late at night, disturbing other residents in the block of flats.

Due before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Wednesday August 30^th for trial, charged with two counts of contravening and failing to comply with an abatement notice, Hughes did not appear.

Magistrates agreed to proceed in her absence and heard evidence from Pembrokeshire County Council and Dyfed-Powys Police officers.

Magistrates were told that numerous complaints were made about the volume of music at Hughes’ property, including after the noise abatement notice had been issued.

Magistrates found Hughes, aged 27, guilty of the charges under s.80(4) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Hughes was fined £660 for each offence and ordered to pay a surcharge of £132.

Costs of £2,527.75 were awarded to Pembrokeshire County Council.

Cllr Bateman said: “This successful prosecution and the level of fines and costs awarded show that we and the courts take the matter of noise very seriously.

“Playing music loudly and late at night can have a major impact on the quality of neighbours’ lives. The Council has engaged with the defendant and issued a noise abatement notice.

“It should be a warning to others that ignoring a notice and continuing to cause a noise nuisance will result in prosecution.

“I would like to highlight and commend the effective partnership working that achieved this result.

“We are working closely with Dyfed-Powys Police and the Neighbourhood Policing Teams to allow for the exchange of information and evidence around nuisance issues, like noise, and also community tensions.

“This partnership working is allowing us to tackle community concerns and improve people’s lives.”

Crime

Youth, 15, admits assault on police officer in Milford Haven

Published

41 seconds ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A 15-YEAR-OLD has admitted assaulting a police officer during an incident in Milford Haven.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the offence took place on Saturday (Mar 1), when the youth assaulted Police Constable 573 Evans.

The defendant appeared before magistrates on Wednesday (Mar 19), where a guilty plea to common assault was entered.

The court granted unconditional bail and adjourned the case for sentencing.

The youth is due to appear again at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 2) at 10:00am for sentencing. The hearing is expected to last around 30 minutes.

Under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, the youth cannot be identified.

Crime

Youth given conditional discharge after series of offences in Haverfordwest

Published

2 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A YOUTH has been given a conditional discharge after admitting a series of offences in Haverfordwest, including assault, shop theft and interfering with motor vehicles.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the offences took place over a number of days in December 2025.

The court was told that on Saturday (Dec 6), the youth assaulted another child by beating them during an incident in the town. On the same date, they also stole two cans of Red Bull worth £5.40 from Tesco.

Further offences were committed on Tuesday (Dec 9), when the youth interfered with multiple vehicles at a vehicle repair workshop at Havens Head Business Park, Milford Haven. The offences involved attempts to interfere with vehicles with the intention of theft.

The youth appeared before magistrates on Wednesday (Mar 19), where guilty pleas were entered to all matters.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge for each offence, taking into account the early guilty pleas.

The court also ordered the youth to pay £100 in compensation to the victim of the assault and £5.40 in compensation to Tesco. No order for costs was made due to the financial circumstances involved.

Under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, the youth cannot be identified.

Local Government

New mayor-elect announced for Haverfordwest

Published

5 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL has confirmed its new Mayor-Elect, with Councillor Randell Thomas-Turner set to take on the role later this year.

In a statement, he said he was “honoured” to accept the nomination, describing it as a moment that will stay with him forever.

He also highlighted the significance of the appointment, saying he is set to become the town’s first mayor of colour and the youngest in a century.

The councillor said the role represents more than a personal achievement, adding that it reflects “progress, representation, and the power of community.”

His official mayor-making ceremony is expected to take place in May.