Crime
Man sentenced for trashing Pembrokeshire hotel
A HAVERFORDWEST man has appeared before magistrates after trashing the Windsor Hotel in Johnston, after booking a room before going on a drunken rampage.
Haverfordwest magistrates were told that on January 22, a booking was made by two males for a room at the Windsor Hotel. One of the males was the defendant, Michael Harper, of Freemans View, Merlins Bridge.
Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan informed the magistrates that when the men first arrived, there didn’t appear to be anything amiss.
But a short while later the owner, Ms Katherine Spurling, was alerted by ‘a lot of banging and crashing’ coming from the stairs.
“One male [Harper] came running towards me from the other side of the bar,” said Ms Spurling in a police witness statement.
“I tried to avoid him but he picked up a wooden chair and smashed it against the window. He then fell backwards over the chair but picked up another one and started banging the window again.
“I was terrified and I was screaming so much. I’ve run a hotel for over 20 years but have never experienced anything like this.
“I want the defendant to realise just how frightening this was for me and my partner. I thought they would be respectful guests, but they totally abused that.
“I’m now highly fearful that they’ll come back and take revenge.”
Ms Vaughan added that the criminal damage included curtains, blinds, a freestanding lamp and some walls. As a result, three bedrooms are currently unable to be let.
“I’ve worked hard all my life, but what happened has tipped me over the edge,” concluded Ms Spurling’s witness statement.
Harper, 22, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage at the Windsor Hotel, Church Road, Johnston; of going equipped for a theft with a stanley knife, pliers, a screwdriver, gloves and balaclava and common assault against Katherine Spurling.
He was legally represented by Mr Ross Williams.
“My client has no recollection of the incident as a result of his level of intoxication,” he said. “He now wishes to move forward with his life.”
After considering a detailed probation report, magistrates sentenced Harper to a 12 month community order during which he must carry out 20 rehabilitation requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work.
He was ordered to pay £3,000 compensation for the damage caused to the Windsor Hotel in addition to £85 costs and a £114 court surcharge. Magistrates also imposed a destruction order on all the items retrieved in relation to going equipped for a theft,
Crime
Four youths linked to night of disorder in Milford Haven
A GROUP of four youths are believed to have been involved in a series of incidents in Milford Haven late on Sunday night, culminating in a reported break-in at the Lord Nelson Hotel.
At approximately 11.50pm, four young males walked into The Pembrokeshire Herald building on Victoria Road directly from the street.
They spoke briefly with editor Tom Sinclair and asked him for £10. When he refused, the group left the premises without further incident.
The youths are then believed to have gone to a nearby flat, where resident Ri Marr said they climbed scaffolding beside her home, banged on her windows and attempted to open her door.
Ms Marr, who lives alone, said she was terrified because she did not initially know who was outside.
She said police attended quickly and took a statement.
It is understood that two members of the group later entered the nearby Lord Nelson Hotel, where a substantial amount of stock was allegedly stolen from the bar.
Hotel manager James Findlay has released CCTV images showing two young males in the rear service area of the premises and appealed for help identifying them.
He said those responsible had an opportunity to return the stolen stock, adding that the hotel would otherwise fully support any police investigation using CCTV, fingerprints or other evidence.
The incidents all took place within a short distance of each other and over a relatively brief period.
The Herald understands that four youths were present during the earlier incidents, although only two are alleged to have entered the Lord Nelson.
Anyone who recognises those shown in the CCTV images, or who has information about the movements of the group, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.
The Herald has approached the force for confirmation of the reported incidents and details of any investigation.
Crime
Operation Lion returns to tackle summer antisocial behaviour in Tenby
A JOINT policing operation aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour in Tenby and across Pembrokeshire will return during the busy summer holiday period.
Operation Lion brings together Transport for Wales, Dyfed-Powys Police and British Transport Police to provide an increased visible presence in the area as visitor numbers rise.
The annual operation, first launched in 2015, will run throughout the six-week school summer holidays, with dedicated patrols every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
British Transport Police officers will patrol Tenby and the surrounding area, working alongside Dyfed-Powys Police to respond to incidents and reassure residents, businesses and visitors.
Transport for Wales security teams will also patrol train services between Tenby and Pembroke Dock, while additional cover will be provided on the final service to Carmarthen.
The operation aims to reduce antisocial behaviour, public disorder and vandalism, while improving public safety through a visible police and security presence.
Organisers say the initiative has helped reduce summer incidents in previous years and has received positive feedback from businesses and communities in Tenby.
Transport for Wales security manager Simon Turton said: “We’re proud to once again support Operation Lion alongside our colleagues from British Transport Police and Dyfed-Powys Police.
“This initiative is a great example of partnership working in action. Through a proactive, community-focused approach, we have helped reduce antisocial behaviour in Tenby and across Pembrokeshire over the years, and we are committed to building on that success again this summer.
“Our aim is simple: to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy everything these fantastic areas have to offer in a safe and welcoming environment.”
Crime
Carmarthenshire man get community work for large-scale fly-tipping offences
A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has been sentenced after admitting responsibility for repeated fly-tipping near an industrial estate in Carmarthen.
Environmental enforcement officers from Carmarthenshire County Council were called to private land beside the railway line near Cillefwr Industrial Estate, Johnstown, on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
A large quantity of household rubbish and building materials had been dumped at the site.
Evidence recovered from the waste led officers to Edward Bassett following what the council described as a detailed and lengthy investigation.
Bassett was later interviewed by council officers and admitted dumping waste at the location on several occasions.
He appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on June 18, 2026, and pleaded guilty to one offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and a further offence under the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989.
Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order, including 200 hours of unpaid work.
Bassett was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £2,403.24 and a victim surcharge of £140.
Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for enforcement, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s commitment to investigating incidents thoroughly and taking robust enforcement action against those responsible.
“We would encourage residents to continue reporting fly-tipping and to ensure that their waste is disposed of responsibly through authorised carriers and facilities.”
The council said it continues to operate a zero-tolerance approach to environmental crime and will take enforcement action where sufficient evidence is available.
Fly-tipping incidents can be reported through Carmarthenshire County Council’s website.
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