Crime

Pembrokeshire man threatened to headbutt wheelchair bound wife

Published

2 years ago

June 19, 2024

A 52-YEAR-OLD Pembroke man has appeared before a district judge after threatening to headbutt his wheelchair-bound wife.

“Your wife is wheelchair bound and yet you made threats to headbutt her,” commented District Judge Mark Layton when imposing sentence against Edward Smith this week. “It must have been a very difficult and frightening experience for her.”

The court was told that in the early hours of May 25, Smith returned to the marital property in Adams Road, Monkton, after spending the day drinking alcohol in local pubs.

“The couple married in September last year but their relationship has been described as toxic,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Judge Layton who was sitting in Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday.

“When he drinks, he’s horrible, explosive and abusive.”

Mrs Smith was woken in the early hours of the morning, as her husband arrived home.

“She believed he was drunk, as he’d been out drinking all day,” said Ms Jackson.

“He became increasingly irate, shouting at her and being aggressive. He then walked around to his side of the bed and lay down. But he immediately got up, lunged on top of Mrs Smith and strangled her. He also squeezed her hand really hard.”

Smith then proceeded to remove his wife’s phone from her hand.

“He refused to return it and once again he jumped on her.”

Mrs Smith, who suffers from a number of undisclosed physical disabilities, managed to get out of bed but the defendant proceeded to stand directly beside her wheelchair saying “I could easily headbutt you.”

The following day police officers discovered Smith driving his vehicle along The Parade, in Pembroke.

“Officers were trying to locate his vehicle and when they stopped him they carried out a roadside breath test which proved positive,” said Ms Jackson.

Further breath tests showed Smith had 62 mcg of alcohol in his system. The prescribed legal limit is 35.

Smith, who currently resides at the Old King’s Arms, Main Street, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to charges of assault by beating and drink-driving.

He was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher.

“This is very difficult for my client as he’s been living in a hotel since the incident although he acknowledges that his behaviour was totally unacceptable,” he said.

“His daughter has been acting as a go-between since the incident, and there’s every chance of a reconciliation.”

Smith was sentenced to a 12-month community order during which he must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was made subject to an alcohol monitoring tag for 90 days.

He must also pay £100 compensation to the victim, £85 court costs and a £114 surcharge. He was disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

22 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

23 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.