Crime

Boncath resident threatened to set fire to neighbour’s car

Published

2 years ago

August 21, 2024

A NEIGHBOURS’ dispute has resulted in a court appearance after a Boncath resident threatened to set fire to his neighbour’s car.

When police arrived at Dylan Degay’s property at Berllan Aur, Boncath, on June 28, they discovered him standing outside surrounded by household items which he’d placed on the front lawn.

CCTV footage that was shown to Haverfordwst magistrates court this week showed Degas threatening to set fire to property belonging to his neighbour.

“I don’t need to deal with nosy neighbours,” he was heard shouting.

“[The police] will have a reason to turn up when I set fire to all their stuff. I’ll set fire to their car, and I hope that every single one of you heard that.”

But Degay’s solicitor, Michael Kelleher, said the threats were made following a period of antagonism between the defendant and his neighbour.

“He moved to Boncath to get away from previous bad influences, but the property he moved into was next door to a person who was hoping that a relative of hers could have it,” he said.

“That was the catalyst. Rumours began to spread about his previous convictions and on this occasion he lost his cool, he became irate, and said things that he didn’t mean and were inappropriate.”

Mr Kelleher said that following the offence, Degay, who pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening to damage or destroy property, had visited his neighbour to apologise for his outburst.

Magistrates were asked to consider a comprehensive probation report before deciding on Degay’s sentence. However Mr Kellehr said the report wasn’t ‘a fair reflection’ on his client.

Probation officer Julie Norman told magistrates that Degay had declined to take part in programmes and treatment which had been offered to him by the probation service, however Mr Kelleher explained that this was because Degay finds it difficult to integrate in group situations.

“He doesn’t want to be in a position where he fails,” he said. “He’d prefer one-to-one treatment.”

Mr Kelleher submitted a character reference to magistrates in which another neighbour described Degay as bdeing a helpful and trustworthy person.

After considering the facts, magistrates sentenced Degay to six months in custody suspended for two years. He was also ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

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.