Crime

Four-hour standoff ends in arrest after Gould fires ‘BB-gun’ at cops

Published

2 years ago

February 26, 2024

A TENSE four-hour standoff ensued in Milford Haven, triggered by a 34-year-old man firing a BB gun at officers, Swansea Crown Court heard today.

James Gould’s partner called the police concerned for the defendants safety, after a bout of heavy drinking and diazepam consumption.

Upon police arrival at the residence on St David’s Road, Gould barricaded himself inside. From an upstairs window, he taunted officers, goading them to shoot him.

The situation rapidly escalated into what was described in court as an “effective siege.” Gould positioned himself on an outside window ledge, repeatedly discharging the BB gun toward officers and the police negotiator. Additionally, he gestured threateningly with hand motions mimicking throat-slitting and brandished the imitation firearm.

The incident, unfolding in the early hours of December 3, reached its conclusion with Gould’s apprehension through the use of a Taser, followed by handcuffing and arrest.

During proceedings, Dyfed-Powys Police received commendation for their handling of the situation.

In his defence, James Hartson of Angel Chambers, representing Gould, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “It was only thanks to the police officers’ professionalism and restraint that the force they used at the defendant was not lethal.”

Hartson emphasised the inherent danger of pointing a firearm at police officers during the night and underscored the fortunate outcome of the ordeal, which concluded without injuries.

Gould, with a criminal record comprising four previous convictions for 40 offences, appeared for sentencing via video link from Swansea Prison, where he had been in custody since his last court appearance on January 14.

He faced charges including possessing an imitation firearm, causing significant fear of violence, affray, and two counts of criminal damage, pertaining to the vandalisation of neighbours’ vehicles by Gould hurling objects at them.

Hartson revealed that psychiatric evaluation found no underlying mental disorder contributing to Gould’s actions, attributing his behaviour to alcohol and prescription drug misuse.

“His consumption of alcohol and misuse of prescription medications clearly affected his mood,” Hartson stated, adding that Gould had no memory of the events.

Expressing remorse, Gould penned a letter to the court, conveying his deep regret. While in custody, he endeavoured to address his underlying issues through participation in anger management, stress coping, and proper medication adherence programmes.

Mr. Recorder Clarke, characterising Gould’s conduct as “reckless and unpredictable,” sentenced him to 26 months’ imprisonment for the firearms offence and 12 months for affray, to be served concurrently. No additional penalties were imposed for the criminal damage charges.

Crime

Milford Haven man admits assault and harassment charges

Published

1 day ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN has admitted assaulting a family member and harassing another relative following incidents in the town last year.

Wayne Whatling, 39, of Howarth Close, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Whatling changed his pleas to guilty to one charge of assault by beating and one charge of harassment without violence.

The assault charge relates to an incident in Milford Haven on September 13, 2025, when Whatling assaulted Ben Whatling by beating him.

He also admitted pursuing a course of conduct amounting to harassment against Carol Whatling between September 1 and September 13, 2025.

The court heard the harassment allegation involved repeatedly asking Carol Whatling for money, with the complainant said to have feared repercussions if she did not provide it.

Magistrates adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Whatling was remanded on conditional bail and ordered not to contact Carol or Ben Whatling directly or indirectly.

He is due to be sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (June 9).

Crime

Milford Haven man admits affray after alleged pub incident

Published

1 day ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has admitted affray following an incident at a town centre pub.

Stephen Collier, 38, of Vaynor Road, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Collier has pleaded guilty to affray, relating to an incident at Nos Da, Victoria Road, Milford Haven, on December 3, 2025.

The charge states that he used unlawful violence towards John Dean Hilton and that his conduct was such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for their personal safety.

Collier also faces a separate charge of burglary dwelling with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. It is alleged that, on the same date, he entered a flat at Nos Da as a trespasser and inflicted grievous bodily harm on Mr Hilton. He denies that charge.

The court also dealt with a breach of bail allegation after Collier was arrested on May 20 for allegedly breaching a curfew condition. He admitted the breach.

Magistrates re-admitted him to conditional bail.

His bail conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 9:00pm and 6:00am, residence at his Vaynor Road address, and exclusions from Mount Estate, Milford Haven town centre, and Nos Da.

He must also not contact prosecution witnesses, including Molly Martin, Jack Martin, Lily Rose Martin and John Hilton.

Collier is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, June 5, for sentence.

A spokesperson for Nos Da said the incident was connected with rooms upstairs at the Victoria Road premises, and did not take place in the bar itself, in the licensed area.