Crime

Man sentenced for targeted theft at Haverfordwest pre-school nursery

Published

3 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

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

7 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

7 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.