Crime

Tenby charity shop manager stole funds and fled to Turkey

Published

2 years ago

May 11, 2024

Lorraine Kucuk, the former manager of a Cancer Research UK shop in Tenby, was handed a 12-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to stealing over £5,000 intended for charity.

Swansea Crown Court heard this week that Kucuk misappropriated the funds to cover personal debts and finance social outings. Her actions came to light when discrepancies were detected in the shop’s financial records in early May 2017, revealing no bank deposits had been made for 22 consecutive days.

The prosecutor, Dean Pulling, explained that during this period, the shop had accrued £5,238.41 in takings, which Kucuk failed to deposit. When initially questioned, she claimed the deposits were made late. However, the subsequent day, she reported being sick and abruptly ceased coming to work.

Further investigation revealed a fabricated story about a flatmate who allegedly ran off with the money. Despite her pleas for time to repay the stolen funds and requests not to involve the police, she was arrested on May 15, 2017.

During her police interview, Kucuk admitted to taking the money, describing her actions as “borrowing” to manage her financial obligations and afford occasional leisure activities.

Among the debts were several parking fines. Initially indicating a guilty plea, she later fled to Turkey, avoiding her scheduled plea and sentencing hearing. Her absence extended over five years, attributed partly to an accident and expired passport, complicating her return.

No show charity shop woman is in Turkey, court hears

Lorreine Kucuk: As we previously reported, her arrest warrant was issued on November 9, 2018

Stuart John, defending, described Kucuk’s extended stay in Turkey as “somewhat of a purgatory.” He noted that she returned to the UK this year with assistance from friends and the British Embassy, expressing her genuine remorse and readiness to rectify her wrongs.

During the sentencing, Judge Huw Rees denounced the theft as particularly heinous given its impact on a charity. He stated, “There cannot be an example of more mean offending against a charity.” Despite her eventual return and admission of guilt, Judge Paul Thomas KC had previously sentenced her to 10 weeks in jail for breaching bail conditions, highlighting her deliberate escape to avoid facing the consequences of her actions.

In addition to her suspended sentence, Kucuk is required to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and participate in 25 days of rehabilitation activities. Her case stands as a severe breach of trust and a stark reminder of the consequences of such actions, particularly when charitable organisations are the victims.

Crime

Milford Haven man admits assault and harassment charges

Published

5 days ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN has admitted assaulting a family member and harassing another relative following incidents in the town last year.

Wayne Whatling, 39, of Howarth Close, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Whatling changed his pleas to guilty to one charge of assault by beating and one charge of harassment without violence.

The assault charge relates to an incident in Milford Haven on September 13, 2025, when Whatling assaulted Ben Whatling by beating him.

He also admitted pursuing a course of conduct amounting to harassment against Carol Whatling between September 1 and September 13, 2025.

The court heard the harassment allegation involved repeatedly asking Carol Whatling for money, with the complainant said to have feared repercussions if she did not provide it.

Magistrates adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Whatling was remanded on conditional bail and ordered not to contact Carol or Ben Whatling directly or indirectly.

He is due to be sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (June 9).

Crime

Milford Haven man admits affray after alleged pub incident

Published

5 days ago

May 21, 2026

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has admitted affray following an incident at a town centre pub.

Stephen Collier, 38, of Vaynor Road, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).

Collier has pleaded guilty to affray, relating to an incident at Nos Da, Victoria Road, Milford Haven, on December 3, 2025.

The charge states that he used unlawful violence towards John Dean Hilton and that his conduct was such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for their personal safety.

Collier also faces a separate charge of burglary dwelling with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. It is alleged that, on the same date, he entered a flat at Nos Da as a trespasser and inflicted grievous bodily harm on Mr Hilton. He denies that charge.

The court also dealt with a breach of bail allegation after Collier was arrested on May 20 for allegedly breaching a curfew condition. He admitted the breach.

Magistrates re-admitted him to conditional bail.

His bail conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 9:00pm and 6:00am, residence at his Vaynor Road address, and exclusions from Mount Estate, Milford Haven town centre, and Nos Da.

He must also not contact prosecution witnesses, including Molly Martin, Jack Martin, Lily Rose Martin and John Hilton.

Collier is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, June 5, for sentence.

A spokesperson for Nos Da said the incident was connected with rooms upstairs at the Victoria Road premises, and did not take place in the bar itself, in the licensed area.