Crime

Man admits making obscene phone calls to Dock firefighters

Published

2 years ago

June 5, 2024

LOCAL firemen have described how a spate of obscene calls made directly to Pembroke Dock fire station have had ‘a detrimental impact’ on their crews.

Between March 27 and April 5, crew members received persistent telephone calls from a male person ‘with a slightly high voice’.

“The man asked ‘Can I suck your cock?” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“They were answered by the fire station manager, who at first thought they were being made by a child or a young person.”

But as the calls persisted, the fire station reported the matter to Dyfed Powys Police. Following an investigation, local resident Matthew Gilbert was interviewed by officers at his home address in Water Street, Pembroke Dock and the 39-year-old admitted making the calls.

In a statement read out to the court, the fire station manager said the incident has had a major impact on his crew.

“The impact of these actions has had a detrimental effect,” he said.

“We have lone officers who work at the station throughout the night and I’m not sure how safe they are now, as the fire station is less than a mile from the defendant’s house and the welfare of the crew members is paramount.

“This has had an impact on the services they provide, as the nature of the calls has caused considerable distress and concern to the station.”

Representing Gilbert, his solicitor, Michael Kelleher, stressed that the calls had not been made on the emergency 999 line.

“They were made directly to the station,” he said. “Since the offence, the defendant has been monitored on a regular basis and has admitted that what he did was extremely stupid.” Gilbert was placed on a Community Order for 18 months during which he must carry out 30 rehabilitation requirement days. He must also carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

OAP admits stalking woman with emails, posters and letters

Published

13 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAVERFORDWEST man has admitted stalking a woman by sending repeated unwanted emails, putting up posters and contacting third parties about her.

Michael Lockheart, aged 80, of Daisy Lane, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty to stalking.

The court heard that between July 27 and September 10 last year, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking and harassment against a female.

His behaviour included sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop contact, distributing defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to her GP and the local authority.

Lockheart admitted the offence, contrary to Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Sentencing was adjourned to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

He was granted conditional bail with strict restrictions. He must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly, including through third parties or social media, and must not enter any address where she lives.

Lockheart is due back before magistrates for sentence at 10:00am on Monday, March 9.

Crime

Pensioner back in court over persistent nuisance calls

Published

13 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A TEMPLETON pensioner has appeared before magistrates again after admitting repeatedly using the phone network to cause distress and inconvenience.

Ann Gateley, aged 79, of Chapel Hill Lane, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having already pleaded guilty to a communications offence.

The court heard that between November 24 and November 26 last year, at Templeton near Narberth, Gateley persistently made use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person.

She admitted the offence, contrary to Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing to a later date and granted conditional bail.

As part of her bail conditions, Gateley must not contact 999 unless there is a genuine emergency.

Gateley is well known to the courts and has appeared on numerous occasions over recent years for similar communications-related matters.

She will return to the magistrates’ court at 10:00am on Tuesday, February 17 for sentencing.

Crime

Man sent to Crown Court over heroin supply and £5,500 cash

Published

13 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A MAN with no fixed address has been remanded in custody accused of possessing heroin with intent to supply and holding thousands of pounds in suspected criminal cash.

Kieren Jones, aged 28, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9).

He is charged with possessing diamorphine, a Class A drug, with intent to supply it to two unknown persons in Carmarthen on Friday (Feb 7), contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Jones also faces a further allegation under the Proceeds of Crime Act that he acquired, used or possessed criminal property, namely £5,500 in cash, on the same date.

No pleas were entered at the hearing.

Because of the seriousness of the offences, magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to the Crown Court.

Bail was refused on the grounds that Jones was likely to offend, interfere with witnesses and fail to surrender to custody.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Swansea Crown Court, The Law Courts, St Helens Road, Swansea, for a plea and trial preparation hearing at 9:00am on Friday, March 13.

The custody time limit expires on August 10.