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Crime

Homeless man sentenced for crimes fuelled by crack cocaine 

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A 30-YEAR-OLD man who has found himself homeless as a result of an addiction to crack cocaine was this week brought before magistrates after admitting causing criminal damage to his former partner’s front door.

The relationship between Reece Bateson-Fenwich and his girlfriend Jordan Thomas was described in court as being ‘volatile’.

“Both parties were frustrated with each other,” probation officer Charmain Fox told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He believes she still has personal items of his, which have a monetary and a sentimental value. 

“He’s been very honest with me about his struggles of being homeless as well as his use of crack cocaine.  At the moment, he’s either staying with people who are using substances or who invite him to stay with them when he’s in possession of a substance himself.

“Until his accommodation is secure, he’s going to continue in this homeless cycle.”

Bateson-Feneck’s court appearance was the result of his visit to Ms Thomas’ home in the Mount estate, Milford Haven on March 16.

“She heard someone storming upstairs to her flat,” said Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson.  “She knew it was the defendant because of his voice.  He was banging on the door really loudly and her ring doorbell showed the defendant standing outside.

“He shouted ‘I want my tv back, after all you’ve done with me.  I swear to God, when I get in there I’m going to f****** stab you.”

Ms Jackson said that Jordan Thomas believed the defendant was on crack cocaine at the time of the incident.

“I knew he was on crack cocaine as he wasn’t speaking clearly,” she said.

Bateson-Feneck pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the door, valued at £39.99, and an additional charge of assaulting MS Thomas by beating during a previous incident on January 13 when he pushed the victim, making contact with her neck.

For both offences, Bateson-Feneck was sentenced to a 12-month community order during which he must complete 15 rehabilitation requirement days to address his accommodation situation.  He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to Ms Thomas and £39.99 compensation for the damage caused to the door. 

 He was fined £120 and ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs. 

 A restraining order was imposed preventing him from making contact with Jordan Thomas, visiting her home address and entering any information concerning her on any electronic device or social media.

Crime

Broad Haven man admits stalking and bail breaches, denies criminal damage

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A BROAD HAVEN man has pleaded guilty to stalking and to breaching his bail conditions on two occasions. He has denied a separate charge of criminal damage and is due to be sentenced later this month.

Thomas Jones, aged 34, of Croft Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he was dealt with for multiple offences involving the same female complainant.

Jones admitted stalking Ms Knight between December 5, 2024, and January 22, 2025, in Milford Haven. The court heard that he visited her address several times, sent over 100 calls and messages in a short period in December, and left both a parcel and an envelope containing a spa voucher.

He initially denied the stalking charge, but changed his plea to guilty on March 17. The offence falls under Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Jones has denied a charge of criminal damage alleged to have occurred on July 21, 2024, when he is accused of damaging a door, radiator, cat litter tray and scratch post belonging to Ms Knight. He pleaded not guilty to this allegation on January 24.

The court also heard that Jones was arrested twice in March for breaches of bail. On March 22, he missed a curfew condition by returning home five hours late. The following day, on March 23, he allegedly contacted Ms Knight directly, in breach of an order prohibiting contact. He admitted both breaches, though those matters were formally recorded as having been dealt with at an earlier hearing.

The magistrates’ bench was chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris. Dennis Davies appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service, and Jones was represented by Fenn Richards.

Jones has been remanded on conditional bail until his next hearing on April 22, 2025, at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions include:

  • Not to contact Tessa Knight directly or indirectly, except via an approved device for child contact purposes,
  • Not to enter Milford Haven,
  • To reside and sleep each night at 38 Croft Road, Broad Haven.

A pre-sentence report is being prepared ahead of the hearing.

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Crime

Pembroke Dock man admits assault and criminal damage

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A PEMBROKE DOCK man has pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage during a domestic incident last year.

Sam Wilkins, aged 42, of Bethel Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he admitted charges of assault by beating and causing criminal damage.

The offences took place on November 7, 2024, in Pembrokeshire. Wilkins was accused of assaulting a woman and damaging a coat valued at £60.

He also admitted breaching bail conditions on March 18, 2025, after contacting an individual he had been ordered not to communicate with.

The bench, chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris, remanded Wilkins on conditional bail until April 15, 2025, when he is due to return to court for sentencing.

Bail conditions include:

No contact, directly or indirectly, with named individuals involved in the case,

Not to enter a specified address in Kilgetty,

Child contact to be arranged via a third party only,

Full compliance with probation requirements for a pre-sentence report.

Wilkins was represented by Jess Hill, and the prosecution was led by Dennis Davies of CPS Wales (South West).

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Crime

Johnston man caught drink driving on same day as court appearance

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A JOHNSTON man has been fined and disqualified from driving after admitting to drink driving on the same day he appeared in court.

Stefan Banica, aged 21, of Woodlands View, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol earlier that day.​

The court heard that Banica was found to be over the legal alcohol limit while driving a motor vehicle.​

The bench, chaired by Mrs C Kendrick and including Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris, imposed a £500 fine, ordered him to pay £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service, and a £50 victim surcharge. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.​

Banica was represented by Fenn Richards, with Dennis Davies prosecuting for CPS Wales.

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