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

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

19 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

19 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.

Crime

Haverfordwest pair accused of £80,000 rogue trading frauds

Published

19 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

TWO men from a Haverfordwest traveller family have been described in court as “rogue traders” following a series of alleged frauds totalling almost £80,000.

Billy Alfred Gary Lovell, 38, and Timothy Dean Lovell, 36, both of Under the Hills, Merlins Bridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

They are accused of offences linked to ground clearance and gardening work in Mathry, Sardis and two addresses in Carmarthenshire.

Prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Trading Standards Department, barrister Harry Dickens told the court: “These men have to be described as rogue traders.”

Billy Lovell faces 16 charges, including fraud by false representation, fraud by failing to disclose information, and unfair commercial practices.

The most serious allegation relates to Diana and Martin Hearnshaw, of Sardis. It is alleged that between January 30, 2022, and January 16, 2025, Billy Lovell dishonestly represented that he would complete clearance and gardening works worth £71,631, but failed to carry out work to that value.

He is also accused of offences involving Richard Gardner, of Penygroes, Carmarthenshire, Irene Williams, of Mathry, and Daniel Watts, of Ty Croes, Carmarthenshire.

Timothy Lovell faces ten charges arising from alleged incidents involving Richard Gardner and Irene Williams.

The allegations include claims that the defendants failed to provide accurate invoices, receipts, written contractual terms, cancellation rights and refund information. Some charges also allege that aggressive commercial practices were used, including harassment, coercion or undue influence.

No pleas were recorded. Because of the seriousness of the allegations, District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction.

The case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on June 12.

Both defendants were granted conditional bail. They must not contact prosecution witnesses directly or indirectly, must live and sleep each night at their respective addresses in Under the Hills, Merlins Bridge, and must not undertake any gardening or landscaping work.