Crime

Shoplifter took over £600 of alcohol from Tesco in Pembroke Dock

Published

2 years ago

February 27, 2024

A 32-YEAR-OLD Romanian man has appeared before magistrates after admitting stealing over £600 worth of alcohol from Tesco in Pembroke Dock.

Isaac Ghinea was seen entering the store soon after 6am on January 8.

“He selected high value bottles of alcohol and placed them in his basket, underneath bags of crisps and newspapers,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

But Ghinea was then seen walking to a different alcohol aisle where he removed a de-tagger from inside his trousers.

“He then removed the alarms from the alcohol and put them behind some beer bottles,” continued Ms jackson. “He was then seen leaving the store without paying for the items.”

The alcohol stolen by Ghinea totalled £624.50

Ms Jackson said that Ghinea returned to the store on February 12 and was approached by a member of staff.

“This was because he was acting suspiciously,” she said. “The member of staff told him that he was banned from entering the store, and he was then seen entering a Volkswagen.”
Police officers were summoned and they discovered the vehicle being driven by Ghinea. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed three silver foil wraps, three pairs of wire cutters and a magnetic pliers.

Ghinea, of Shayer Road, Southampton, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft and an additional charge of going equipped for theft. He was legally represented in court by Mr David Morgan.

“My client apologises for what happened as he’s a family man with four children,” Mr Morgan informed the magistrates in his mitigation.

“He also has a good work ethic, and is employed as a pipe layer.”

Mr Morgan said that the defendant was carrying out work in Pembroke Dock at the time of the offence.

“When I asked him why he did these acts, he couldn’t give me a clear explanation,” he said. “He didn’t know what came over him.

“But he has a grievance against the police after being the victim of a car theft when he didn’t feel the police got to the root of the crime.”

Ghinea was sentenced to eight weeks in custody, suspended for 18 months. He must also carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and ten rehabilitation requirement days.

He was ordered to pay £624.50 compensation to Tesco, £85 court costs and a £154 court surcharge. A destruction order was imposed on the items which were used to go equipped for theft.

Crime

OAP admits stalking woman with emails, posters and letters

Published

15 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAVERFORDWEST man has admitted stalking a woman by sending repeated unwanted emails, putting up posters and contacting third parties about her.

Michael Lockheart, aged 80, of Daisy Lane, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty to stalking.

The court heard that between July 27 and September 10 last year, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking and harassment against a female.

His behaviour included sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop contact, distributing defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to her GP and the local authority.

Lockheart admitted the offence, contrary to Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Sentencing was adjourned to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

He was granted conditional bail with strict restrictions. He must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly, including through third parties or social media, and must not enter any address where she lives.

Lockheart is due back before magistrates for sentence at 10:00am on Monday, March 9.

Crime

Pensioner back in court over persistent nuisance calls

Published

15 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A TEMPLETON pensioner has appeared before magistrates again after admitting repeatedly using the phone network to cause distress and inconvenience.

Ann Gateley, aged 79, of Chapel Hill Lane, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having already pleaded guilty to a communications offence.

The court heard that between November 24 and November 26 last year, at Templeton near Narberth, Gateley persistently made use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person.

She admitted the offence, contrary to Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing to a later date and granted conditional bail.

As part of her bail conditions, Gateley must not contact 999 unless there is a genuine emergency.

Gateley is well known to the courts and has appeared on numerous occasions over recent years for similar communications-related matters.

She will return to the magistrates’ court at 10:00am on Tuesday, February 17 for sentencing.

Crime

Man sent to Crown Court over heroin supply and £5,500 cash

Published

15 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A MAN with no fixed address has been remanded in custody accused of possessing heroin with intent to supply and holding thousands of pounds in suspected criminal cash.

Kieren Jones, aged 28, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9).

He is charged with possessing diamorphine, a Class A drug, with intent to supply it to two unknown persons in Carmarthen on Friday (Feb 7), contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Jones also faces a further allegation under the Proceeds of Crime Act that he acquired, used or possessed criminal property, namely £5,500 in cash, on the same date.

No pleas were entered at the hearing.

Because of the seriousness of the offences, magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to the Crown Court.

Bail was refused on the grounds that Jones was likely to offend, interfere with witnesses and fail to surrender to custody.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Swansea Crown Court, The Law Courts, St Helens Road, Swansea, for a plea and trial preparation hearing at 9:00am on Friday, March 13.

The custody time limit expires on August 10.