A MAN has been jailed for a series of assaults and criminal damage at a probation service office.

Michael Carruthers, 33, of no fixed abode, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with five offences.

The court heard that on February 28, Carruthers caused damage to the front office of Haverfordwest Probation Office. He was also charged with assaulting an emergency worker and three counts of assault by beating on the same day.

Carruthers pleaded guilty to all charges on March 3.

These offences were committed while he was serving a suspended sentence for attempted shoplifting and assaulting a man at Morrisons in Haverfordwest on November 26.

Magistrates sentenced Carruthers to 24 weeks in prison for the latest offences, with an additional 18 weeks activated from his suspended sentence.

He was also ordered to pay £250 in compensation and £85 in costs.

Previous offences

Carruthers has a long history of criminal behaviour. In June 2020, he was arrested for causing a disturbance at a Nisa shop in Johnston, where he was verbally abusive to staff, threw items around the store, and smashed bottles of wine. He was charged with theft and criminal damage, to which he pleaded guilty.

More recently, in June 2024, he was jailed for a spate of shoplifting offences in Haverfordwest and Milford Haven. On May 4, he attempted to steal items from Tesco in Milford Haven, but when confronted by staff, he became aggressive and grabbed a staff member by the wrist.

Two days earlier, police were called to an address in Milford Haven regarding an incident involving Carruthers. While being arrested, he resisted, attempted to headbutt the cage inside the police van, and kicked an officer in the shin.

Carruthers also stole alcohol and vapes from Home Bargains in Haverfordwest on April 16.

In January 2025, he narrowly avoided jail after assaulting a security guard at Morrisons in Haverfordwest while attempting to steal food. He pushed the guard, causing him to fall and injure his shoulder. At the time, he was described in court as struggling with homelessness and substance abuse. He was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 28 weeks, along with 20 rehabilitation activity days.

Despite previous opportunities for rehabilitation, Carruthers has continued to offend, leading to his latest custodial sentence.

A HAVERFORDWEST woman has been jailed for assaulting another woman, with magistrates ruling that only a custodial sentence was justified.

Sarah Moane, 34, of Three Meadows, Haverfordwest, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Mar 13), where she was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard that on December 27, 2024, Moane assaulted Kayleigh Summers, causing her injuries. She was found guilty of the offence on March 13, 2025.

Moane was already serving a 10-week custodial sentence, imposed by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on August 6, 2024. The latest sentence is to run consecutively, with the court citing the seriousness of the offence and the fact that it was committed while Moane was subject to a suspended sentence. The offence was further aggravated by intoxication and domestic violence.

She was also ordered to pay £650 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Restraining order imposed

A restraining order was issued against Moane, preventing her from:

• Contacting Kayleigh Summers by any means, directly or indirectly.
• Entering any premises occupied by Summers as her usual place of residence.
• Posting or causing to be posted any references to Summers on social media or any other electronic platform.

The order remains in place until March 12, 2026.

The court noted that no compensation was awarded due to the provoked nature of the attack.

Presiding over the case were Magistrates Ms V Knapp, Miss L Gunter, and Mr N Samuel, with Ann Griffiths prosecuting.

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been remanded in custody after appearing at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 10) facing multiple charges, including assault, intentional strangulation, and controlling or coercive behaviour.

Kieran Vaughan, 37, of Caradoc Place, is accused of assaulting a woman, causing actual bodily harm, on March 8 in Haverfordwest. He also faces charges of intentional strangulation under the Serious Crime Act 2015, alleged to have taken place on February 8 and February 22. Additionally, Vaughan is charged with engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour between December 1, 2023, and March 9, 2025, allegedly restricting the victim’s social life, controlling money and property, and making threats.

A further charge relates to Vaughan allegedly sending a communication on March 8 that conveyed a threat of death, contrary to Section 181 of the Online Safety Act 2023.

Vaughan appeared before magistrates Mrs C Kendrick, Mrs A Taylor-Jones, and Mr D Ellis. Represented by Alaw Harries for the defence, with Sian Vaughan prosecuting, he did not enter pleas.

Magistrates determined that the case was too serious to be dealt with at their level and sent Vaughan to Swansea Crown Court for trial. He was remanded in custody due to concerns he may commit further offences or interfere with witnesses.

The case will be heard at Swansea Crown Court on April 11 at 9:00am for a plea and trial preparation hearing. The custody time limit expires on September 8, 2025.