Crime

Haverfordwest woman sentenced for Eddies assault and theft of tobacco

Published

2 years ago

August 8, 2024

AT Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, Sarah Lewis-Moane, a 34-year-old resident of Three Meadows, was handed down multiple sentences following a series of offences.

Lewis-Moane was charged with three separate offences, including assault by beating, theft from a person, and common assault. All incidents occurred on the July 11, 2024

The court heard that on the night in question, Lewis-Moane assaulted Maria Smith at Eddie’s Rocks on Quay Street, Haverfordwest. The unprovoked attack led to Lewis-Moane changing her plea to guilty on the July 23. District Judge Layton, presiding over the case, described the assault as of a “serious nature.”

Consequently, Lewis-Moane was sentenced to four weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

The court ordered her to pay £50 in compensation to Smith, taking into account her guilty plea.

Later that same evening, at the Greyhound Hotel on Mariners Square, Lewis-Moane stole a pouch of tobacco valued at £20-£25 from Bethan Bailey.

For this offence, she was ordered to pay £20 in compensation to Bailey.

Following the theft, Lewis-Moane threatened to assault Bailey at the Greyhound Inn, escalating the situation to a charge of common assault under section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. This offence, coupled with the theft, resulted in an additional four weeks of imprisonment, also suspended for 12 months. Lewis-Moane was required to pay £50 in compensation and £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.

In total, Lewis-Moane faced an eight-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, with the court emphasising the “realistic prospect of rehabilitation” and acknowledging her recent bereavement. Judge Layton noted that the offences were severe enough to warrant custodial sentences, but the suspension was granted based on Lewis-Moane’s commitment to rehabilitation and her assurance of compliance with court orders.

Defence solicitor Tom Lloyd highlighted Lewis-Moane’s challenging personal circumstances, including the recent loss of her mother. The court’s decision to suspend the custodial sentence was partly influenced by the need for the defendant to attend her mother’s funeral, which took place on August 7.

Prosecutor Linda Baker stressed the unprovoked nature of the assaults.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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.