Crime
Man admits making obscene phone calls to Dock firefighters
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
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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