Crime
West Wales paedophile found dead by police before court hearing
A 50-YEAR-OLD Aberystwyth man, Jason Howell, was found deceased at his home in Blaenllynant Lodge, Upper Queens Road, just days before he was due to be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court.
Howell had previously admitted to creating indecent images of children and failing to comply with the sex offenders register.
Police officers, armed with a warrant, discovered Howell’s body in the kitchen of his residence. Beside him were an array of tablets and a large quantity of prescribed medication, suggesting an apparent overdose. A small bottle of vodka was also found nearby. A note, believed to have been written by Howell, was also recovered at the scene. The note expressed his frustration at not receiving the help he believed he needed and contained the chilling words, “I am dead, you all suck.”
Swansea Crown Court heard on Thursday (Aug 29) that the police officer who discovered Howell’s body reportedly recognised him instantly, having encountered him on multiple occasions in the past.
Howell was due to be sentenced for his crimes after pleading guilty to three charges of making a total of 65 indecent images of children, including 22 of the most serious category A images, between 1 November 2020 and 18 July last year. He also admitted to using an alias on social media, a violation of the sex offenders register.
His Honour, Judge Huw Rees, who was due to preside over the sentencing at Swansea Crown Court, has ordered that the committal for sentence be marked as having no legal effect, effectively closing the case following Howell’s death.
Crime
Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH
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
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.
Crime
Bomb hoax allegation lands Carmarthenshire man before court
A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has appeared before magistrates accused of making a bomb hoax and assaulting police officers.
Anthony Mold, 38, of Sandy Road, Llanelli, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).
Mold is charged with communicating false information by alleging that a bomb or other explosive substance was present at Dafen Police Station.
The allegation relates to an incident on May 6 this year.
The defendant also faces charges of assaulting two police officers, damaging a police vehicle, and breaching a Community Protection Notice.
Court records show the damage charge relates to a Dyfed-Powys Police vehicle.
Mold entered guilty pleas to the offences before the court.
District Judge M Layton remanded him in custody for the preparation of reports ahead of sentencing.
The case was adjourned until Thursday, July 2, when Mold is due to be sentenced at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.
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