Crime

Swift arrest enabled police to find truth behind victim’s serious injury

Published

2 years ago

February 27, 2024

WHEN a woman arrived at hospital with a deep cut to her leg and claimed it was caused by a falling knife, medical staff were concerned something wasn’t right.

The wound was serious, and the patient appeared nervous when talking about what had happened, raising suspicions of doctors at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth.

Her account – that a knife had fallen off a counter, cutting her leg – did not correlate with the level of injury she had sustained, and vigilant staff contacted police.

After several attempts to speak to the patient alone, Dyfed-Powys Police officers made the decision to arrest her partner, Alfie Jack Field.

Detective Inspector Sam Gregory said: “The victim continued to provide an account to officers that felt prepared and unrealistic in comparison to the injury she’d sustained, which was a 5cm deep wound to her upper leg.

“By arresting her partner, specially trained domestic abuse officers could engage with the victim and gain her confidence. After some time she opened up and disclosed that Alfie Field had in fact stabbed her with a knife.

“Her injury was so serious that she needed a blood transfusion, but until Field was in custody she was too afraid to say anything.”

Continued engagement with the victim encouraged her support to proceed with a prosecution, and 22-year-old Field was charged with Section 18 wounding with intent on December 27, 2023 – the day after the incident.

Field, of Pontrhydfendigaid, admitted to wounding without intent and threatening a person with an offensive weapon or bladed article in a private place when he appeared at Swansea Crown Court. He was sentenced this week to a total of two years in prison, and was handed a five year restraining order.

DI Gregory said: “This case involved a vulnerable and very frightened victim, whose partner remained with her in hospital with the sole aim of preventing her from telling staff and officers what had really happened.

“I would like to commend her strength and acknowledge the courage it took for her to engage with officers and staff at the hospital for the truth to be known.

“This is a fine example of multiagency working, with the right support provided to the victim at the right time, and demonstrated and zero tolerance approach Dyfed-Powys Police takes on domestic abuse.

“We hope this sentence gives others living in abusive relationships or households the confidence to come forward, and reassures that they will be listened to and supported throughout the criminal justice process.”

Sharon Daniel, Interim Director of Nursing, Quality & Patient Experience at Hywel Dda University Health Board added: “I am pleased to hear that the vigilance of our clinical staff meant that we were able to help this patient who had suffered a serious injury at the hands of an abusive partner.

“Our staff do so much more than treat physical symptoms or injuries, they consider a patient’s wellbeing as a whole. I am very proud of the team in Bronglais and across the health board for their hard work.

“We would encourage any person admitted into hospital with injuries sustained as a result of domestic abuse to tell our staff whenever possible, although we understand this is often a difficult and sensitive situation.

“Any person who is having to deal with domestic abuse can find more information on our website on how to get advice and support – https://hduhb.nhs.wales/healthcare/services-and-teams/domestic-abuse/ .

“We have also recently appointed a Domestic Violence Advocate in Bronglais Hospital, funded through NHS charities, as part of our commitment to improve identification and responses to domestic abuse in health settings.”

Crime

Motorist loses licence after report of drink-driving from Narberth pub

Published

19 hours ago

March 18, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A woman who was reported to police for drink-driving from a Narberth pub has been banned from the roads

A COURT has heard how a motorist was arrested by police officers following a call stating that she was drink-driving from the Ivy Bush in Narberth.

The call was made just after 10pm on February 22.

“The caller stated that Tanya Hanna was drinking-driving from the Ivy Bush in a Mercedes,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

When Hanna, 36, was apprehended by officers at Kiln Park Road, a roadside breath test proved positive while further tests at the police station showed she had 47 mcg of alcohol in her system, the legal limit being 35.

Hanna, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the drink-driving charge. She was represented in court by Michael Kelleher.

“It wasn’t the most pleasant situation when someone took umbrage with Tanya and phoned the police,” he said. “As a result, she has lost her job.

“She knows she’s let herself and her family down, because without a driving licence, it’ll be very difficult for her to keep in regular contact with them, having to rely on public transport.”

Hanna, of Beach Hotel, Marsh Road, Pendine, was disqualified from driving for 14 months. She was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Crime

Driver banned after drink-driving on Cleddau Bridge

Published

19 hours ago

March 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN motorist has been banned from the roads after being caught driving on Cleddau Bridge when he was over the drink-drive limit.

Andrew Evans, 36, was stopped by officers just before 1am on February 25 as he drove his Nissan Qashqai northwards towards Neyland.

After providing a positive roadside breath test, subsequent tests carried out at the police station showed he had 42 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

This week Evans, of Great North Road, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. He was represented in court by solicitor Michael Kelleher.

“He believed he’d allowed enough time for the alcohol to pass through his system but that, unfortunately for him, was a dreadful mistake although his alcohol levels were decreasing all the time,” said Mr Kelleher.

Evans, who has no previous convictions, was disqualified from driving for 13 months. He was fined £461 and ordered to pay a £184 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Teen avoids jail after knife incident in Tenby

Published

19 hours ago

March 18, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

He was found carrying a kitchen knife in Tenby town centre has been handed a suspended sentence

A 19-YEAR-OLD man has narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after being found in possession of a bladed article in Tenby town centre.

Police officers were called to The Glebe in the early hours of April 26, 2025, following a call from a member of the public that a male had been seen carrying an offensive weapon. There they found Teilo Griffiths in possession of a kitchen knife.

“The defendant’s mother contacted the police at around 2am, reporting an ongoing incident with her son,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He was intoxicated and under the influence of drugs.”

While Mrs Griffiths was on the phone, her son left the home address.

“A young male was then reported to be walking around Tenby town centre in possession of a kitchen knife,” continued Linda Baker. “He wasn’t making threats to anyone but he was under the influence.”

Griffiths, of The Glebe, Tenby, pleaded guilty to being in possession of the knife and was represented in court by Tom Lloyd.

“When he was arrested, he was open and honest straight away, and admitted he couldn’t remember what had happened,” said Mr Lloyd.

“He’d been out with friends, he was over excited, people were buying him drinks, and this wasn’t something he was used to. He went totally over the top and can’t remember what happened.”

Griffiths was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody suspended for 12 months and a 12 month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work He must also pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs. A forfeiture and destruction order was imposed on the knife.