Crime
Pembrokeshire man pleads guilty to stalking whilst on bail
A PEMBROKESHIRE gardener has been released from prison after admitting stalking a woman while he was on police bail.
Scott Horton, 40, made repeated visits to the home of his former partner in Harbour Way, Hakin, despite being prevented from doing so by police bail conditions.
“He turned up at her house on March 3 and again on March 8, when the complainant heard his car pulling up and saw his face through the window,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“On March 13 she had a number of missed calls from him and on March 14 he turned up at her house once again. Her neighbour sent video evidence of him being present.”
On March 21, Horton was seen turning up at her house at 5am and again at 11.40pm.
Horton was remanded in custody on March 30 after originally denying the allegation of stalking when he was brought before Swansea magistrates.
But this week Horton changed his plea to guilty when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates via a video link from Swansea prison.
“Being remanded in prison, and being a person of previously clean character has forced my client to reflect,” said his solicitor, Tom Lloyd.
“He accepts that his behaviour towards the lady was unacceptable but he knows, 100 per cent, that their relationship is over and he has no desire to see her nor speak to her. He just needs to get out of custody and get on with his life.”
Mr Lloyd informed magistrates that Horton works as a self-employed landscape gardener.
After considering the mitigation, magistrates allowed Horton to be released on conditional bail. The conditions are that he resides with his parents at Skomer Drive, Milford Haven; he does not enter Hakin; he is electronically monitored daily, between 7pm and 7am and he fully co-operates with the probation service.
Horton will return to Haverfordwest magistrates on April 23 to be sentenced. The adjournment was following the magistrates’ request for an all options probation report.
Crime
Arrests made after large-scale cannabis operation raided in Pembroke Dock
POLICE in Pembroke Dock have uncovered yet another large-scale cannabis operation, as part of an ongoing clampdown on illegal farms in the area. On Monday (Nov 4), Dyfed-Powys Police executed a search warrant at a property on Dimond Street, where officers found over 500 cannabis plants in a sophisticated cultivation setup.
Two men, aged 26 and 34, have been arrested in connection with the investigation and are currently in police custody. The raid follows a series of similar operations in Pembrokeshire, targeting properties used for illegal drug cultivation.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Crime
Bin lorry driver banned after “squishing” man in road rage incident
RHYS GRIFFITHS, a former bin lorry driver, has been banned from driving after injuring a man by colliding with his car door during a road confrontation on St Issels Avenue, Haverfordwest, on 22 February 2023.
Swansea Crown Court heard from Prosecutor Harry Dickens that Griffiths, 32, accelerated towards the victim’s vehicle, stopping bumper-to-bumper. Following a brief verbal exchange, the victim turned back to his car, only to hear Griffiths rev his engine, mount the kerb, and strike the driver-side door, pinning the man against his own car. Though the victim felt pain in his thighs, he did not require medical attention, and only minor damage was reported to the car.
Griffiths left the scene without stopping, and a witness alerted the police. The victim later told officers: “There was no need for this incident at all.”
Griffiths initially pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving, later changing his plea to guilty on the day of his trial. His defence lawyer, Emily Bennett, expressed Griffiths’ “deep shame” over the incident, noting he had been redeployed from his job as a bin lorry driver due to the offence.
Judge Paul Thomas KC described Griffiths’ actions as “incredibly stupid” and sentenced him to 10 months, suspended for 18 months. Griffiths must complete 100 hours of unpaid work, 25 rehabilitation days, and pay £1,200 in costs due to the lateness of his plea. Additionally, he was disqualified from driving for 12 months and must pass an extended driving test to regain his licence.
Crime
Police arrest suspects following vehicle interferences in Haverfordwest
HAVERFORDWEST police responded swiftly after reports of multiple vehicle interferences in the Tasker Way area on Sunday night/early Monday morning (Nov 4).
Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPPT) conducted extensive house-to-house enquiries, gathering evidence and reassuring the community. These efforts led to the identification of two suspects.
Both NPPT and Response teams acted promptly, locating and arresting the suspects, who are now in police custody.
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