Crime

Three men forced way into Pembrokeshire nightclub and attacked doormen

Published

2 years ago

July 31, 2024

A NIGHTCLUB manager in Pembrokeshire testified in court about a violent incident on the night of April 21, 2022, which she described as “one of the most violent” she had ever witnessed.

Cathy Walters was knocked unconscious when three men forced their way into the Saundersfoot nightclub and attacked two doormen on duty.

This week, Callum Weakley, 28, Christopher Millward, 31, and Jack Parkinson, 26, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates for sentencing after pleading guilty to affray by using threatened unlawful violence towards others.

Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson stated that the men arrived at the nightclub despite Weakley being previously banned from the premises.

“They began verbally abusing the doormen, calling them p*****,” said Ms. Jackson. “Callum Weakley pushed through the door and began attacking them. They then fell down the stairs, landing at the bottom. Although one doorman landed on his feet, he lost his balance and fell against the wall. Cathy Walters, situated at the bottom of the stairs, was knocked unconscious for a few seconds and fell backwards into the wall.”

A victim impact statement from Ms. Walters was read to the magistrates, in which she expressed her fear for her safety during the incident.

“This is the most violent incident I’ve witnessed during my time as a nightclub manager,” she said. “It wasn’t just the punches, but the viciousness and extreme language. It made me feel very frightened.”

Magistrates were shown video footage of the incident.

Parkinson, a locksmith from Raymond House, Penally, and self-employed plumber Christopher Millward, from Hil Rise, Kilgetty, were both represented by Anthony O’Connell. Mr. O’Connell described his clients as “hard-working members of society that others speak highly of,” and submitted character references for both defendants.

Callum Weakley, from Jubilee Cottages, Tenby, was represented by Tom Lloyd, who explained that the incident was triggered by the recent death of his client’s father.

“He was overwhelmed by grief, which impaired his judgment,” said Mr. Lloyd. “He has now taken tremendous steps to overcome this, and he’s ashamed of what he’s done.” Mr. Lloyd also submitted character references for his client.

After considering the mitigation, magistrates sentenced all three defendants to six months in custody, suspended for 12 months. They must each complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £50 compensation to each of the three victims. Additionally, each defendant was ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

“If this hadn’t happened two years ago, the sentence might have been different,” commented the presiding magistrate. “You’ve kept out of trouble since then, and that’s why your sentence is suspended. But the level of violence shown puts it above the custody threshold.”

Crime

Man cleared after prosecution offers no evidence at Crown Court

Published

19 hours ago

April 18, 2026

Court Reporter

Swansea Crown Court entered formal not guilty verdicts on all counts, bringing the case to an end

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been cleared after the prosecution offered no evidence against him at Swansea Crown Court.

Luke Phillips, 23, of Woodlands Park, Haverfordwest, had previously faced charges relating to indecent images of children and extreme pornography.

The case came before His Honour Judge Thomas KC on Monday (Apr 13).

When the matter was called on, the prosecution offered no evidence on all counts.

Formal not guilty verdicts were then entered on each count, bringing the proceedings to an end.

Phillips was represented by barrister Ian Ibrahim.

The outcome means there is no further action to be taken in relation to the case.

It is understood that property seized during the investigation can now be returned following the conclusion of the proceedings.

Crime

Man found staggering in street after brutal caravan attack

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2026

Court Reporter

Victim suffered fractured wrist and suspected broken jaw after assault in Pembroke Dock

A MAN was found staggering around Pembroke Dock town centre covered in blood after a brutal attack inside a caravan, Swansea Crown Court has heard.

The victim had gone to the mobile home in the early hours of January 29 intending to buy cocaine. But after arriving at an address in Pembroke Dock, he was directed to a caravan parked behind another house, where he encountered two men, including Zack Ian Craig High.

Prosecutor Sian Cutter told the court that while the complainant was making his way to the caravan, he received a phone call telling him to make an online payment.

***There was a huge police response on the day of the incident (Image: Herald)***

Once inside, an argument broke out between the complainant and High. The confrontation quickly turned violent, with High punching the victim to the floor before repeatedly punching and kicking him.

After the attack, the injured man managed to leave the caravan and walk back towards Pembroke Dock town centre. While doing so, he made a video call to a friend. Alarmed by the bloodied state of the complainant, the friend contacted police.

Officers later found the victim staggering through the town with blood on his face. He was taken to hospital, where medics found significant bruising to his face as well as bruising to his back, arms and legs. He was also found to have suffered a possible fracture to his upper jaw and a fractured wrist bone.

***Police cordoned off the town centre of Pembroke Dock on January 29 (Pic: Herald)***

High, aged 26, of no fixed abode, was arrested and gave a “no comment” interview.

He had originally been charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, but later pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard that at the time of the assault, High was already subject to a suspended sentence.

Defending, Stuart John said High denied any involvement in drug dealing. He suggested the background to the incident may have involved the fact that his client was in a relationship with the complainant’s former partner.

Sentencing, Judge Geraint Walters described the attack as “brutal” and said it had caused significant injuries.

With credit for his guilty plea, High was jailed for 18 months. He will serve 40 per cent of the sentence in custody before being released on licence for the remainder.

The judge also imposed a five-year restraining order banning High from contacting the victim.

Top photo caption: Zack High was jailed for 18 months after a brutal attack in Pembroke Dock left a man with serious injuries (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police)