Crime

Drunken motorist sentenced for being in charge of Audi A4

Published

2 years ago

May 14, 2024

A 54-YEAR-OLD motorist has appeared before magistrates after staggering drunkenly into his Audi A4 before placing the keys in the ignition and turning on music.

The motorist was observed by police officers just before 1am on April 27 as he approached his Audion the B4585 at Manorbier.

“The man was seen staggering towards the officers before getting into the Audi,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“They then heard music coming from inside the vehicle. As they approached, they saw Shaun Lees sitting in the driver’s seat with the key in the ignition. When they spoke to him his speech was slurred.”

A roadside breath test was carried out which proved positive, giving a reading of 80 mcg. The legal limit is 35.

Lees, of Dewing Avenue, Manorbier, pleaded guilty to being in charge of a motor vehicle when he was above the legal alcohol limit.

He was represented in court by Mr Michael Kelleher.

“My client’s intention was to get something out of the car and then walk home, as he only lives around half a mile away,” he said.

“He didn’t start the car, and he wasn’t aware that a policeman was watching him.”

Mr Kelleher told the court that the defendant has been employed as a civil servant for the past 21 years.

“This offence was a big mistake, but my client never intended to drive the vehicle that night,” he said.

Lees was fined £266 and ordered to pay a £106 surcharge and £85 costs. His licence was endorsed with ten penalty points.

Crime

Milford Haven man admits assault and harassment charges

Published

4 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

4 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.