Crime

Man jailed after drunken brawl over Chinese takeaway in West Wales

Published

2 years ago

February 24, 2024

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison following a violent altercation that erupted over a Chinese takeaway, resulting in the assault of four individuals.

Richard John, 40, from Bush Street, faced charges of strangling a man and committing three acts of battery, which included spitting blood at a woman and a teenage girl, and punching another man in the face. The incident unfolded on the evening of January 2, when John, allegedly intoxicated after consuming an “astonishing” amount of alcohol, estimated at around 28 cans, became involved in a heated dispute with his neighbours outside his Milford Haven address, where he had been bailed for unrelated offences.

The confrontation escalated when John returned indoors, lamenting that he had been left with mere “scraps” from a Chinese takeaway. A 24-year-old man was then attacked by John, who grabbed him by the throat and began to strangle him. The victim managed to break free after headbutting John.

In the chaos that ensued, John spat blood at a woman attempting to de-escalate the situation, and similarly targeted a 16-year-old girl who tried to remove him from the premises. The assault continued when a man, the partner of one of the victims, entered the fray to assist, only to be punched in the mouth by John.

The victims barricaded themselves in the living room, holding the door shut until the arrival of the police.

During his court appearance, John contested the strangulation charge, claiming it was a defensive move against the alleged victim. However, he later admitted guilt to all charges. The court was informed of John’s extensive criminal history, comprising 37 previous convictions for 65 offences.

In mitigation, defence counsel Ian Ibrahim highlighted John’s remorse and recognition of his “disgusting” behaviour on the day of the offence. John, who has undertaken courses to address his alcohol dependency while in custody, expressed regret for his actions.

Recorder Simon Hughes imposed an 18-month jail sentence for the strangulation charge, with concurrent sentences of nine weeks for the punch and six weeks for each spitting offence. Additionally, the court issued a five-year restraining order in favour of the strangulation victim and the teenage girl, offering them protection against John.

Crime

Driver sentenced for cannabis offences on Cleddau Bridge and in Wolverhampton

Published

15 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A WOLVERHAMPTON motorist has been disqualified from driving after admitting two separate cannabis-driving offences, including one on the Cleddau Bridge.

Doel Lyons appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (July 23), where he pleaded guilty to both charges.

The first offence took place on December 22, 2025, when Lyons drove a Honda Civic along the A477 Cleddau Bridge at Pembroke Dock.

A blood test showed seven micrograms of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, per litre of blood.

The second offence occurred on March 30 this year, when Lyons drove the same Honda Civic along Tithe Croft in Wolverhampton with cannabis in his blood above the legal limit.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month driving disqualification for each offence and fined Lyons £233 on each charge.

He was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs in relation to each conviction.

The court register does not specify whether the two periods of disqualification are to run concurrently.

Separate allegations that Lyons drove another vehicle while over the cannabis limit and without insurance in Staffordshire in September 2025 remain outstanding.

No pleas have been entered to those charges, which were adjourned for a plea hearing at Wolverhampton Magistrates’ Court on July 29.

Crime

Pembrokeshire teenager given referral order after shoplifting spree

Published

15 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE teenager has been given a 12-month referral order after admitting a string of shop thefts and damaging a police vehicle.

The youth appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (July 23), where guilty pleas were entered to 11 theft offences committed between April and June.

The offences involved shops in Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Neyland, with alcohol targeted in the majority of the incidents.

Items stolen included BuzzBall alcoholic drinks, vodka, cans of Red Bull, crisps, chewing gum and a sandwich.

The court heard that several of the thefts took place at retail parks in Haverfordwest and Milford Haven, while others occurred at stores in Neyland and Milford Haven town centre.

The individual also admitted causing £180 worth of damage to a Dyfed-Powys Police vehicle in Neyland on June 26.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month referral order, which will require the teenager to work with the Pembrokeshire Youth Offending Team and comply with a contract agreed with a youth offender panel.

Compensation totalling £336.77 was ordered in relation to the stolen property and damage to the police vehicle. The teenager’s guilty pleas were taken into account.

The court imposed reporting restrictions under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Nothing may be published which could identify the youth.

Crime

Murder investigation launched into death of Pembrokeshire man in 1991

Published

2 days ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A 67-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after new potential evidence emerged in connection with a death more than three decades ago.

Dyfed-Powys Police have launched a murder investigation into the death of 58-year-old Bentley Mathias, who died in hospital in 1991.

Mr Mathias died at Morriston Hospital on November 19, 1991, with his cause of death recorded at the time as a brain haemorrhage.

His death was not initially treated as suspicious. However, police said new potential evidence had since come to light, prompting the case to be investigated as a murder enquiry.

On Wednesday, July 22, officers arrested a 67-year-old man from the Llandewi Velfrey area of Pembrokeshire on suspicion of murder.

He has since been released on police bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.

The enquiry remains ongoing.