Crime

Man sentenced for targeted theft at Haverfordwest pre-school nursery

Published

2 years ago

November 1, 2023

A 36-year-old man, Christopher Harding, has been sentenced to a 12-month community order by Haverfordwest magistrates for stealing lead flashing off the roof of the Tots Pre-School Day Nursery in Haverfordwest. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of October 10, left the nursery owner, Mr Graham Francis, distressed and anxious about the safety of his property.

Harding, of Freemans View, Haverfordwest, appeared before the magistrates this week, where he pleaded guilty to the theft. Crown Prosecutor, Sian Vaughan, highlighted the premeditated nature of the crime. “This wasn’t an opportunist theft, but it had been well prepared for,” she stated. “He had a head torch and the items recovered in his rucksack included rubber gloves and a kitchen knife.”

Reading from a victim impact statement prepared by Mr Francis, Ms Vaughan revealed the profound impact of the incident on the nursery owner. “This is the third time my property has been targeted,” Mr Francis lamented. “It’s got to the point where I’m scared at what I’ll wake up to next. I’m currently driving into Haverfordwest twice a day to check on the property, which is taking up a great deal of my time as I’m concerned that it’ll happen again.”

The stolen lead flashing’s value remains unknown, but the damage caused to the roof amounted to £1,500. Addressing the court, Mr Tom Lloyd, representing Harding, acknowledged the gravity of the crime. “The value of what was taken remains unknown, but we’re not arguing with the compensation claim of £1,500,” he said. “This was an impulsive act. My client was intoxicated, he’d been out drinking, and it was an error of judgment.”

Supporting this perspective, the probation service officer commented on Harding’s character. “That day the defendant had been drinking, and when he drinks he does stupid things,” she said, shedding light on Harding’s lack of judgment under the influence of alcohol. Despite Harding’s qualifications as a bricklayer, he is currently unemployed, compounding his personal struggles.

After careful consideration, the magistrates sentenced Harding to a 12-month community order. As part of his sentence, he is required to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and attend 20 rehabilitation requirement days. Additionally, Harding must wear an alcohol monitoring tag for 30 days to address his alcohol-related behavior. Furthermore, he was ordered to pay £1,500 in compensation to Mr Graham Francis, along with a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

Crime

Former Wales rugby star admits Christmas Day drink-driving offence

Published

5 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Ex-Ospreys captain was almost twice over limit in Pembroke town centre

Former Wales back row Jonathan Thomas has admitted driving through Pembroke town centre on Christmas Day when he was almost twice over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Thomas, 43, was stopped by officers as he drove his Mercedes CLA 220 along The Green, Pembroke, at around 5pm on Christmas Day.

“The officers were very concerned at the manner of his driving, as the car was being driven erratically and was swerving to the other side of the road,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“When Jonathan Thomas got out of the car, the officers could see that he was having difficulty standing and was unsteady on his feet.”

Subsequent breathalyser tests showed Thomas had 62 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

Thomas, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the drink-drive charge and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill.

“He has family in the area and had travelled to spend time with them on Christmas Day,” she told the magistrates. “He’s very remorseful for his actions and hugely regrets his decision that day.”

Jess Hill concluded by saying that Thomas is currently “between jobs and living off his savings”.

Thomas, who gave his address as Main Road, Bredon, was disqualified from driving for a total of 18 months.

“The length of your disqualification reflects the fact that you were more than a little bit over the limit,” commented the presiding magistrates when imposing sentence.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge.

The former Wales back row left his role as Swansea RFC head coach at the beginning of December 2025 as a result of ongoing health concerns. He was forced to retire from playing in 2015 on medical advice after being diagnosed with epilepsy and is one of the 390 former rugby union players currently taking part in a concussion lawsuit against the sport’s authorities.

“Long-standing issues linked to the head trauma have caused me some concern recently and it has been impossible for me to give the role everything it needs,” he said in a previous interview with the BBC.

His rugby career started out with Pembroke RFC juniors before moving to Swansea RFC, which he captained when he was 19. He then joined the Ospreys where, over a ten-year period, he won four league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup. He was the youngest player to captain the Ospreys and, at the time of leaving, was the joint highest appearance holder, together with Andrew Bishop, on 188 appearances.

His international career saw him play for Wales at Under-16, Youth, Under-19, Under-21 and Sevens levels. He made his senior international debut against Australia in 2003, featured at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was part of two Six Nations Grand Slam-winning sides in 2005 and 2008. Between 2004 and 2011, Thomas was included in every Wales Six Nations squad. In his appearances for Wales, he scored seven tries.

Crime

Drink-driver narrowly avoided collision in town centre

Published

6 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Motorist almost three times over legal limit

A DRINK-driver narrowly avoided crashing into another vehicle while almost three times over the legal alcohol limit, a court has heard.

Nathan Lloyd, 33, was seen driving a Nissan X-Trail in Haverfordwest in the early hours of December 20 without headlights.

Police followed the vehicle, which narrowly missed a car and struck a kerb before being stopped.

Lloyd, of Adams Drive, Narberth, recorded a breath reading of 97 micrograms of alcohol, nearly three times the legal limit.

He was disqualified from driving for two years and given a 12-month community order requiring 80 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days. He was ordered to pay £114 surcharge and £85 costs.