Crime

Milford Haven woman threatened to rip child’s face off

Published

2 years ago

September 4, 2024

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been sentenced for grabbing the neck of a child’s jacket, hurling obscenities at her and threatening to rip her face off.

The incident took place on January 13 as the child was being driven through Haverfordwest town centre by her mother

As they approached the Leisure Centre, a car drove towards them at speed. Inside the approaching car was 40-year-old Tania Lawler.

“The vehicle was speeding towards them and blocked their vehicle in,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“The defendant got out and hit the victim’s vehicle three or four times, causing no damage. “She then opened the passenger door where the child was sat, shouted in her face and grabbed the neck of her jacket saying, “I’ll rip your face off.”

The child managed to push the defendant’s fingers away from her, and her mother got out of the vehicle to apprehend the defendant.

“She told [the defendant] not to come anywhere near her children, but the defendant once again said that she was going to rip her face off,” continued Ms Jackson “At this point, the child began filming the incident on her mobile.”

The subsequent video footage was shown to the bench.

Lawler, of Waterloo Road, Hakin, was pleaded guilty to assaulting the mother by beating, and common assault against the child. She was represented by Tom Lloyd.

“This is a single mother with two young children who came to the end of her tether,” he said. “She now wants to put all this behind her.”,

Lawler was fined £398 and was ordered to pay a £159 court surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

“This was a very unpleasant incident in a public place, in front of a child and in the daytime,” commented the presiding magistrates. “Whatever the provocation, you did react badly.”

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

8 hours 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

9 hours 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.