A 32-year-old man has appeared before magistrates charged with burglary at a Haverfordwest property with intent to commit damage.

Darryan Bolstridge-Edwards, 32, is accused of gaining entry into a property at Fleming Crescent on February 14 as a trespasser, with intent to cause damage to the building or its contents.

This week Bolstridge-Edwards, of Brickhurst Close, Johnston, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates via a video link from HM Parc Prison where he has been remanded in custody.  He denied the offence and elected a Crown Court trial.  Proceedings will now commence at Swansea on June 12.

A North Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with exposing himself in a sexual manner in a north Pembrokeshire town.

Rhydian Morse, 40, is accused of outraging public decency by exposing himself at an undisclosed location in Narberth on November 19, 2024.  He faces a second charge of sexually assaulting a female, aged 16 or over, on November 12, 2024.

This week Morse, of Precelly View, Grondre, Clynderwen, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates court where he denied both charges. He elected a Crown Court trial and his trial proceedings will now commence at Swansea Crown on June 12.  He was released on unconditional bail.

 A man has been sentenced for threatening to set fire to the Silverdale Lodge homeless shelter, Johnson, following a night of binge drinking.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates were told that at around 7am on May 2, Billy Pitman, 29, left the Silverdale Lodge in a highly intoxicated state, and entered one of the local shops where he began accusing the shopkeeper of short-changing him as he attempted to purchase some items.  Pitman then proceeded to unleash a foul-mouthed assault on the shopkeeper.

“This had a huge impact on the staff member as they immediately reported the matter  to the police,” said Crown Prosecutor, Sian Vaughan.

After leaving the shop, Pitman returned to the Silverdale Lodge where he began unleashing his aggression on a member of staff.

“Once again he became aggressive, and started hurling racial insults at the staff member, telling them to go back to their own country,” continued Sian Vaughan.

“His behaviour escalated and he told them he’d smash  the door down and set fire to the property.”

Ms Vaughan said  the defendant’s comments had a strong impact on the Silverdale employee.

“ It made me feel very uncomfortable as the racist comments were totally unacceptable and uncalled for,” the employee said in a victim impact statement read out to the court.

As a result of Pitman’s behaviour, police firearms officers were summoned to attend and the defendant was arrested and conveyed to Haverfordwest police station.  But once again, his behaviour spiralled  out of control.

When he  was put inside the cell,  he proceeded to put items into the sink causing it to flood.

Pitman pleaded guilty to threatening to damage or destroy property at Silverdale Lodge; causing racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or  distress to the staff member; causing criminal damage to the police cell, and using threatening or insulting words or behaviour to the shopworker. He was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who stressed the defendant’s actions were the result of his ‘drink demons’.

“The defendant has huge periods of stability and is a very well thought of individual,” he said.  “But sometimes he has demons when he consumes alcohol, and can’t control his behaviour.  This is something he’s keen to address and he wants help.”

Mr Lloyd added that the defendant has since returned to the Silverdale Lodge to apologise for his behaviour on May 2.

Pitman, who is currently of no fixed abode, was sentenced to a 12-month community order during which he must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.  He was ordered to pay £100 compensation to both the shopkeeper and the Silverdale Lodge employee, £120 court costs and a £114 surcharge.