TWO parents have been handed suspended sentences after dishonestly claiming more than £13,000 in Universal Credit by failing to report that their children had been taken into care.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Niomi Woodhouse, 31, of Maes Hafren, Eglwyswrw, and John Simon, 35, of London Road, Pembroke Dock, continued to claim benefits as if they were caring for their two children, despite the children being taken into care in February 2020.

Prosecutor Harry Dickens explained that the couple had been receiving Universal Credit due to health issues preventing them from working. Woodhouse informed the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in June 2021 that she was the lead carer for two children, explicitly stating they were living at home.

However, an investigation by Pembrokeshire County Council revealed that both children had been placed into care more than a year earlier. Over the course of this period, the couple had over 100 interactions with the DWP but failed to disclose the change in circumstances, resulting in an overpayment of £13,228.78.

During interviews, Woodhouse claimed she was waiting for a social worker’s assistance to report the change, while Simon admitted he assumed the matter had been handled by Woodhouse but did not verify it himself.

The pair pleaded guilty at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on September 10 to dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting their entitlement to Universal Credit. The court was told they had no previous convictions, and the overpaid money is being recovered through deductions from their benefits, eliminating the need for Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings.

Judge Huw Rees described their actions as “thorough dishonesty” and emphasised the broader impact on the economy. Sentencing them to 10 weeks in custody, suspended for a year, he also imposed additional requirements tailored to each defendant.

Woodhouse must complete a six-month drug rehabilitation programme and 20 rehabilitation activity days. Simon was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

“I’m content that this money is going to be received from you,” Judge Rees concluded.

The case highlights the importance of promptly reporting changes in circumstances to the DWP to ensure benefits are correctly allocated.

DESCRIBED as a “waste of taxpayers’ money”, a protection order introduced in the centre of Haverfordwest to tackle antisocial behaviour has been “an unnecessary tool” which only resulted in three warnings in two years.

Prior to its backing in mid-2022, a plan to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Haverfordwest town centre had been under discussion for some time, with a public consultation on the matter, as well as previous debates by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The proposals were brought by the town’s then five county councillors, initially prompted by anti-social behaviour and drinking issues at the skate park but later expanded to a large part of the town centre, and were developed in partnership with Dyfed-Powys Police.

Claims had previously been made that “gangs of feral children are roaming around town”, with members of the public subject to verbal and physical abuse in Haverfordwest, and a “criminal element” dealing drugs in the town.

The PSPO gives police and PCSOs additional powers for three years to issue a fixed penalty notice of £100 if someone fails to comply with a request to cease consumption of intoxicating substances in a designated area.

At the time, Cllr Jacob Williams said on “civil liberties grounds” he was shocked to see what was being proposed.

“I think this is way over the top and not a proportionate response,” he said.

The PSPO area includes the Withybush retail area, the river alongside Morrisons, Barn Street, Horsefair roundabout, Rifleman Field, skatepark, Fortunes Frolic and out to the train station.

The December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council received a submitted question by Independent Group leader Cllr Huw Murphy, who had opposed the scheme.

“At full council on July 14, 2022 a decision was made to implement a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) within certain areas of Haverfordwest.

“A Partnership Panel held on May 23, 2024, received confirmation that since this PSPO was implemented there have been no prosecutions or fixed penalties issued. There was a cost implication in implementing this PSPO for PCC, money that we can ill afford to spend when ample legislation exists for dealing with antisocial behaviour.

“Therefore, can it be agreed that in future such applications are given greater scrutiny to avoid further waste of taxpayers’ money and what actually reduces antisocial behaviour is increased pro-active policing not more legislation?”

Responding to Cllr Murphy’s question Cllr Williams, now Cabinet Member for Planning & Regulatory Services, said he agreed with the questioner.

“Cllr Murphy and I were among several who opposed this introduction, among the things I said was I was aghast at this proposal which had snowballed; I would’ve been in support around the skate park rather than the town.”

He added: “The way the council was proceeding was not justified and I voted against it; as Cllr Murphy’s question states there have been no prosecutions, but on three occasions police have warned people about offences.”

Cllr Williams said any potential renewing of the order – up for review next year – would go to scrutiny committee before coming before council, “should there be an appetite for this PSPO to be renewed”.

He concluded: “It could be argued there’s no prosecutions so it’s worked; but only three persons have been warned [by police], I think that paints a story that it was probably not only was not a success but probably a tool that was not necessary.”

A SERVING soldier has admitted driving when he was almost three times over the legal drink-drive limit.

Alfred Kempton, 26, was observed by officers ‘swerving all over the road’ as he drove a white Renault Kangoo at Pelcomb Bridge, Haverfordwest, just after 10:30pm on November 30.

When officers stopped the vehicle, they discovered Kempton’s eyes were glazed and there was a strong smell of alcohol. A roadside breath test proved positive, and subsequent tests at the police station revealed he had 102 mcg of alcohol in 100 ml of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Crown Prosecutor Nia James described the reading as “very high.”

Kempton’s solicitor, David Williams, urged magistrates to refrain from imposing a community order, warning that it would result in Kempton’s dismissal from the army.

“He is one of only four people in his entire squadron with expertise in electronic warfare and signal intelligence,” said Mr Williams, adding that Kempton’s position was supported by two senior army officers who attended court.

Magistrates fined Kempton £1,141, ordered him to pay a £456 court surcharge and £85 costs, and disqualified him from driving for 24 months.

“This is a very high reading, and if it happens again, you will not be so lucky,” said the presiding magistrate. “You are now classified as a high-risk offender.”