Crime

Milford man jailed for shoplifting

Published

2 years ago

June 12, 2024

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been sent to prison after admitting a spate of shoplifting offences at stores in Haverfordwest and Milford Haven.

Staff at the Tesco store in Milford Haven were alerted to Michael Carruthers on May 4, when the 32-year-old was seen picking up various items from the shelves and placing them inside a plastic bag.

“When he was approached by the staff, he became aggressive and began swearing,” said Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson. “Police were called, but the defendant grabbed one of the staff members by his left wrist.”

Ms Jackson said that the items which Carruthers attempted to steal totalled £20.40, but all items were subsequently recovered by staff.

Two days previously, police officers were called to an address in Milford Haven as a result of what the Crown described as ‘an ongoing incident.’

“The defendant was present and as he was arrested, he became resistant,” said Ms Jackson.

“When the officers tried to place him inside the rear of the van, he tried to head butt the cage. Police then tried to restrain him from harming himself or from causing injury to others but he became violent and kicked out with his leg, making contact with one of the officer’s right shin.”

Ms Jackson said that Carruthers continued to be abusive whilst in custody.

The previous month, on April 16, Carruthers was seen entering Home Bargains in Haverfordwest.

“CCTV footage showed him picking up a number of items, including alcohol and vapes, and placing them in a bag,” continued Ms Jackson.

This week Carruthers, who is currently of no fixed abode, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates via a video link from Swansea prison where he has been remanded in custody since the latest offence on May 4. He pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker, theft from Home Bargains, attempted theft from Tesco and the common assault of a store member at Tesco, Milford Haven.

Each of the offences were committed while Carruthers was serving a community order for a previous conviction. He has a total of 17 previous convictions, including assaults on emergency officers and shoplifting.

Meanwhile his solicitor, Tom Lloyd described Carruthers as ‘an extremely vulnerable young man’.

“He struggles tremendously with substance abuse issues, the most recent being alcohol,” he said.

“Things have got so bad, and the offending has become so frequent, that the options are limited.”

Following a 60-minute deliberation by magistrates, Carruthers was sentenced to 12 weeks in custody. He was also ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Police standoff ends after four-hour incident in Pembroke Dock

Published

7 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ELIZABETH COURT SCENE STOOD DOWN AFTER DOMESTIC INCIDENT

A FOUR-HOUR police standoff in Pembroke Dock has ended with a 21-year-old man arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident at Elizabeth Court has now been stood down and the scene released.

The man has been taken to hospital to receive medical attention.

Chief Inspector Dominic Jones said: “I want to thank local residents for their patience while we dealt with this incident. I understand that such a large police presence in a residential street is concerning to see, and I’m grateful to everyone who co-operated with our officers at the scene.

“I’d like to offer my reassurance that our units responded to an isolated domestic incident, and there was no further threat posed to the wider community. The scene has now been released, and we will investigate the full circumstances of this morning’s incident.”

Officers were called to the address this morning (Saturday, May 9), with a large police presence remaining in the area for several hours.

Eyewitnesses told The Herald that police were asking a man upstairs to come down, with tasers drawn during the incident.

Police dogs, specialist officers and what appeared to be a negotiator were also seen at the scene.

The incident lasted from around 11:00am until about 3:10pm.

Crime

Teen denies attempted murder of Milford Haven teacher

Published

11 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TEENAGER REMANDED AHEAD OF JULY TRIAL

A 15-YEAR-old boy has denied attempting to murder a teacher during a stabbing incident at Milford Haven School.

The teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (May 8).

He pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and unlawful wounding with a knife.

The charges relate to an incident at Milford Haven School on Thursday, February 5, when emergency services were called after reports that a teacher had been assaulted by a pupil carrying a weapon.

The school was placed into lockdown and pupils were later safely evacuated.

The injured teacher was taken to hospital with stab wounds, but was discharged later the same day.

Police said at the time that specialist officers were supporting the victim and the wider school community.

The teenager was remanded in custody following Friday’s hearing.

A trial is due to begin on July 6.

Crime

Racial abuse suspect barricaded himself inside Johnston lodge

Published

2 days ago

May 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ARMED police were called to a supported accommodation building in Johnston after a man allegedly barricaded himself inside a room while behaving aggressively and racially abusing staff.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed officers were called to Silverdale Lodge at around 8:55am on Saturday (May 2) following reports of disorder involving a resident.

According to police, the man allegedly acted aggressively towards staff members and made racially abusive comments before barricading himself inside a room at the property.

The force said armed officers were deployed to ensure the safety of staff, other occupants and the man himself.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police was called to Silverdale Lodge in Johnston at approximately 8.55am on May 2 following a report of a male behaving in an aggressive manner and being racially abusive towards a member of staff.

“Officers attended the scene and the male had barricaded himself in a room.

“In order to ensure the safety of the male, staff members and other occupants of the building, armed officers attended the scene.

“The man was detained and arrested. There were no injuries to members of staff or officers reported. There is currently no ongoing threat to the public.”

Police confirmed Billy Pitman, aged 29, has been charged with racially aggravated public order offences, criminal damage and threats to cause criminal damage in connection with the incident.

Pitman was remanded into custody and appeared before Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Monday (May 4).

We will bring you the court result as we receive it.