News
Ex boyfriend sent ‘100 texts a day’

AT HAVERFORDWEST MAGISTRATES’ COURT on Wednesday, Magistrates heard the case of a man from Crundale who had committed the offence of harassment without violence. Matthew Richard Phillips, aged 29 of Rosemary Close pleaded guilty to the charge. Prosecutor, Lesley Harbon told the court: “Phillips and the complainant had been in an 18 month relationship that ended in February this year, and since March 5 up until his arrest in June he had subjected his ex girlfriend to harassment.
She had previously become financially dependant on him and he isolated her from her family and friends, which was part of the reason why they broke up. After their split, she would often receive 100 texts per day that varied in content. Some would talk about reconciliation, others were of a sexual nature and some were threatening. There were too many messages to record, but on July 13 he sent continuous messages. She replied to some, saying ‘I’m out with the girls, leave me alone’. “He text her saying ‘I hope you get raped and found in a ditch somewhere’ and ‘I’ll find out who he is and I’ll batter the f*** out of you’.” Defence solicitor, Gareth Lewis said: “Phillips accepts that some of them were unpleasant, but not all of them were.
There is an indication that the victim in this case may have brought on some of the discussions. For example, she text him one day saying she was going to London to do a course, and said ‘Just gone past the Liberty Stadium and it made me smile’ – they did used to go to the football together.” Magistrates adjourned the case until October 22 at 10am in order to prepare a presentence report.
Crime
Rosemarket man avoids jail after breaching court order and stalking victim

A ROSEMARKET man has avoided a prison sentence after repeatedly breaching a court-imposed non-molestation order and stalking one of the protected individuals.
PHILLIP SOLOMON, 35, of West Street, Rosemarket, contacted two women between March 28 and May 17, 2025, despite an order made by Haverfordwest Family Court forbidding both direct and indirect contact.
He appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he admitted two charges of breaching the non-molestation order, as well as a further charge of stalking one of the women during the same period, causing her fear, alarm and distress.
“He sent a birthday card and a present, and made numerous telephone calls, text messages and gestures,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court. “This caused her serious concern.”
A victim impact statement read in court described the profound effect Solomon’s behaviour had on the woman’s life.
“Every aspect of my life has changed as a result of the last few months,” she said. “I feel anxious about day-to-day aspects like leaving my house, fearing he may be there. I’m constantly checking mirrors and my surroundings. Days out that should be enjoyable have become difficult.”
She said she had changed both her work and social routines due to fears she was being followed.
Defending Solomon, solicitor Alaw Harries said her client had not fully appreciated that sending a birthday card would breach the terms of the order.
“He understands the impact and he’s extremely sorry to be here today,” she said. “There are clearly issues that need to be addressed and he is keen to work with probation to deal with these.”
Magistrates imposed an 18-month community order, requiring Solomon to complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days and 100 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay a £114 court surcharge and £170 in prosecution costs.
A two-year restraining order was imposed, banning Solomon from contacting either victim directly or indirectly, except through a solicitor or social services. He is also prohibited from entering their addresses or storing any data about them on any electronic device.
Crime
Driver banned after swerving car led to public calls to police

CALLS from concerned members of the public about a car being erratically driven through Neyland led to a drink-driving ban for a Llanstadwell man who was found to be more than three times over the legal limit.
Mervyn Jenkins, aged 47, was arrested at around 8:00pm on May 23 after police stopped his vehicle on Church Road, Llanstadwell.
“The officers had followed the vehicle and seen it swerving across the carriageway and shuddering, as if it had sustained significant damage,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
When Jenkins exited the vehicle, he was unsteady on his feet. A breath test conducted at the police station showed he had 114 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35.
In a probation interview, Jenkins told officer Catrin Jones he had consumed approximately ten pints of lager at a pub in Milford Haven before making the reckless decision to drive home.
“The event is all a bit hazy to him and he doesn’t know why he chose to get behind the wheel,” said Ms Jones.
“He described his behaviour as stupid and realises the risk he posed to others. The only fortunate thing is that nobody was hurt.”
The court heard that Jenkins, who works for a local steel fabrication company, regularly drinks up to twelve pints on Friday and Saturday nights while visiting local pubs.
“He drinks to excess but now acknowledges he needs support to reduce his intake,” added Ms Jones.
Jenkins, of Hazelbank, Llanstadwell, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and chose to represent himself in court.
“I’m ashamed of myself,” he said in mitigation.
Magistrates disqualified him from driving for 28 months and imposed a 12-month community order, requiring him to complete ten rehabilitation activity days and engage with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service. He must also complete a 90-day alcohol abstinence monitoring programme.
He was ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.
Crime
Dog mess excuse nearly lands man in jail

A PEMBROKESHIRE man awaiting sentence for drug offences came close to being remanded in custody after breaking his bail conditions—allegedly in an effort to clear up dog mess from a shared lawn.
John Phillips, 36, of Pen Puffin, Steynton, previously pleaded guilty to possessing drugs with intent to supply and was awaiting sentencing at Crown Court on June 27. He had been placed on strict bail conditions, including a nightly curfew.
However, on June 10, Phillips breached the curfew on ten separate occasions. Despite the number of incidents, the total time he spent outside his property amounted to just over 18 minutes.
Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that the breaches stemmed from a domestic mishap.
“His dog escaped from the house and did what dogs do on the lawn that he shares with his neighbour,” said defence solicitor Michael Kelleher. “So the defendant had to go out, get the dog, and collect what had happened, as he didn’t want his neighbour to walk in the mess.”
Mr Kelleher added that Phillips made several attempts to contact the electronic tagging company to explain the curfew breaches, but received no response.
Phillips appeared before magistrates in custody on June 17 and admitted breaching his bail conditions. After hearing the mitigation, magistrates allowed him to be released on the same conditions.
“But if you come here again, it might be a different outcome,” warned the presiding magistrate.
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