Crime
Custodial sentence for Neyland fisherman
PASSING a sea survival course has resulted in a custodial sentence for a Pembrokeshire fisherman after he admitted using threatening behaviour towards staff at the Silverdale homeless lodge.
Brandon Pugh was told earlier this month that he had successfully passed the sea survival course after serving an apprenticeship on a fishing boat operating from Neyland Marina.
But after drinking to excess to celebrate his success, Pugh returned to the Silverdale Lodg in Johnston, where he had been residing for the previous 24 hours.
“He was absolutely thrilled that he could finally see a future opening up before him,” his solicitor, Tom Lloyd, told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“So what did he do? He got intoxicated to the point where he couldn’t remember anything.”
Pugh reached Silverdale just before 1.30am on April 24, and confronted a female staff worker who believed he had taken a dislike to her during their meeting the previous day.
“She was typing up notes when she heard a knock on the door,” said Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson.
“She heard a male voice and recognised it as Brandon Pugh. She asked him to hold on while she waited for her colleague to come back as she didn’t feel comfortable engaging with the defendant on her own. She had met him only once, and didn’t think he liked her.”
But Pugh then began kicking the door whilst shouting, “I’m going to end you.”
“I took his threats literally, as his manner and demeanour made me feel uncomfortable,” said the Silverdale Lodge victim in a statement she made to the police.
“I felt that if he was going to open the door, he would harm me.”
The court was told by probation officer Julie Norman that the offence was committed whilst Pugh was the subject of a two-year suspended prison sentence for a common assault conviction in January 2023.
“There’s a pattern of violent offences here, with the result that I request he be sent to custody,” she said.
But solicitor Tom Lloyd urged magistrates to apply leniency in their sentence.
“His background is extremely troubled and he is an extremely vulnerable individual,” he said. “Since a very young age he’s been pushed into doing things that he didn’t want to do, and this has been the story of his life.
“At last he’s been given the chance to work on a fishing boat, things have gone very well, and this is the main reason he’s kept out of trouble.
“But that night he got very intoxicated and said things that he didn’t mean. He’s embarrassed by what happened.”
However after considering the mitigation, magistrates sentenced Pugh to 24 weeks in custody. He was also ordered to pay £239.
“Despite how it looks today, there is light at the end of the tunnel,” said presiding magistrate Mary Smith. “When you come out of custody you’ll be able to pick up the pieces and get on with your fishing career.”
Crime
Pembroke Dock man denies coercive control allegations
Case sent to Crown Court amid claims of stalking, abduction and dangerous driving
A PEMBROKE DOCK man is to appear before a Crown Court judge charged with repeatedly engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour towards a woman.
Alfie Hegarty, aged 20, of Church Street, Pembroke Dock, is accused of repeatedly or continuously engaging in behaviour said to have controlled the complainant’s social media use, restricted who she could speak to and involved extreme jealousy.
“The allegations go further than that and include abduction, dangerous driving, stalking, coercive controlling behaviour and harassment,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.
Mr Davies asked magistrates to decline jurisdiction because of the seriousness of the case.
“This is not suitable for summary trial, given the effect that it’s had on the victim,” he said.
Hegarty denied the allegation. No representations were made by his solicitor.
Magistrates granted the Crown’s request and the case was sent to Swansea Crown Court, where proceedings are due to begin on March 27.
Hegarty was released on conditional bail. The conditions are that he must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly and must not enter her address in Neyland.
Crime
Milford Haven pensioner admits sexually assaulting two shop workers
76-year-old touched victims and kissed one on the neck, court hears
A MILFORD HAVEN man has admitted sexually assaulting two women at a shop by touching their buttocks and kissing one of them on the neck.
“These were sexual touching elements, which made the victims feel extremely uncomfortable,” said Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies when John Mason appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.
The first incident took place at a Milford Haven store on August 3, 2025.
“The victim contacted the police as she’d been working in the store and recognised the defendant when he walked in,” said Mr Davies.
She was standing by the counter when Mason approached from behind, placed his hands on her shoulders and used his right hand to touch her bottom.
“There was definitely a sexual element there,” added the prosecutor.
The second victim told officers she also recognised Mason, who had entered the store on a number of occasions.
“He grabbed her buttock with one hand, which she found unacceptable, and kissed the back of her neck,” said Mr Davies. “This made her feel very uncomfortable and there was again a sexual touching element.”
Mason, aged 76, of Coombs Drive, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual assault.
Sentencing was adjourned until March 17 to allow the probation service to prepare an all-options report. Mason was released on bail with conditions not to enter the stores where the victims work and not to contact them directly or indirectly.
Crime
Man accused of sexual offences against child appears in court
29-year-old denies six charges as case sent to Swansea Crown Court
A MERLINS BRIDGE man has appeared before magistrates charged with a series of serious sexual offences involving a child.
Adam Frank, aged 29, faces three charges of sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl by penetration, namely that he allegedly penetrated her vagina with his fingers. He also faces three further charges of intentionally touching a child in a sexual manner.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between January 19, 2018 and March 1, 2020.
Frank, of St Margarets Close, Merlins Bridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where his solicitor, Michael Kelleher, indicated not guilty pleas to each charge.
Given the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case was sent to Swansea Crown Court. Frank was released on unconditional bail and is due to appear before the Crown Court on March 27.
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