Crime

Milford man accused of assaulting 17-year-old by beating

Published

2 years ago

February 27, 2024

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been released on conditional bail after being charged with assaulting a 17-year-old girl by beating.

Shaun Saunders, 31, is alleged to have carried out the assault at his property in Richard John Street, Milford Haven on February 25.

“He became abusive, grabbed the complainant, pulled her hair back from her head and tried to push her out from the front of the house,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

Saunders denies the charge of assault by beating, however Ms Jackson urged magistrates to remand the defendant in custody pending his trial.

“The complainant is 17 and this places her in a vulnerable position,” she said.

“In the interest of protecting the complainant, we request that he be remanded in custody.”

But Saunders’ solicitor, Liam Francis, asked the bench to release him on bail.

“The complainant has not provided a statement, the Prosecution is relying on other witnesses, but nothing has yet been provided,” he said.

After a short adjournment, magistrates agreed to release Saunders on conditional bail, the conditions being that he resides at his home address and that he does not contact the complainant nor the prosecution witnesses directly nor indirectly.

The matter was adjourned until April 25 when the trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

Crime

OAP admits stalking woman with emails, posters and letters

Published

11 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

12 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

12 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.