Crime

Four young men deny involvement in Milford Haven stabbing

Published

3 hours ago

October 2, 2024

FOUR young men have denied their involvement in an alleged stabbing in the Victoria Road area of Milford Haven.

The accused – Mcauley Brown, Haydn Blockwell, Haydn Ashton, and Gethin Picton – appeared before Swansea Crown Court following reports of a stabbing incident on August 24, during which one man was stabbed and another was attacked.

The men were charged with wounding with intent and, in the alternative, unlawful wounding concerning the first victim. They were also charged with attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent towards the second victim.

Mcauley Brown, 18, currently on bail at an address in Marloes, faced additional charges of possessing a knife in a public place and criminal damage to a police cell. Blockwell, 18, of James Street, Hakin, was also accused of carrying a knife.

Brown pleaded guilty to criminal damage, admitting to scratching his name into the door of a police cell. However, he and the other defendants denied the remaining charges.

Representing Brown, James Hartson told the court: “Mcauley Brown says he was not present at the scene. Anybody who said he was there is either lying or mistaken.”

Hannah George, representing Blockwell, said her client admitted being at the scene but had “no prior knowledge of the incident.”

David Singh, defending Ashton, 18, of Larch Road, Milford Haven, stated: “He was there. He was with the other defendants, certainly at least two of the others as he got out of the car with them. He was aware of an argument that was ongoing. His role was peacemaker. He picked up an item to prevent it being used.”

Jon Tarrant, representing Gethin Picton, 19, of Elm Lane, Milford Haven, added: “Mr Picton was in the vehicle. He did not get out of the vehicle.”

The Judge, His Honour Paul Thomas, readmitted scheduled the trial for April 14, 2025.

Crime

Johnston man tells court he shared photo of woman’s bottom ‘accidentally’

Published

2 hours ago

October 2, 2024

Court Reporter

A JOHNSTON man is to appear before magistrates for trial accused of sharing a photograph of of a woman’s bottom on social media.

Keith Lovell, 56, is accused of sharing the photograph on February 29 without consent.

He is further accused of assaulting Ms Lovell by beating between January 1 and January 31. The Crown alleges that he put both his hands on the victim and pushed her into a toy, causing her to fall to the floor.

Lovell, of Brookside Avenue, Johnston, denied both charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

The Crown said Lovell claimed the photograph was shared ‘accidentally’.

The case was adjourned to November 18 when Lovell’s trial will take place.

He was released on conditional bail, the conditions being not to contact Ms Lovell, not to enter her home address and not put anything in relation to the complainant nor the police investigation on social media.

Crime

Chef sentenced for assault and of being in charge of a child whilst drunk

Published

2 hours ago

October 2, 2024

Court Reporter

A COURT has heard how alcohol dependency turned into ‘a third party in the marriage’ after a 36-year-old chef was sentenced for assaulting a woman and of being in charge of a child despite being drunk in a public place,

Ashley Mardon, who is a chef at the Castlemartin Firing Range, admitted two charges of assaulting Deborah Mardon by beating on September 8 and again on July 28. He also pleaded guilty to being in charge of a child when he was drunk and in a public place and of threatening to cause damage to Ms Mardon’s property in Pembroke Dock.

“The bruising [as a result of the assaults], was very minor and hard to make out,” his solicitor, Michael Kelleher, told Haverforwest magistrates this week.

“There has been a third party in this marriage all along, and that was alcohol. Mr Mardon now hopes that things will move forward as a family, but the alcohol first needs to be addressed. And that’s what this is all about.

“He needs to curb his substance misuse and is under no illusions that things will have to change.”

After considering a lengthy probation report Mardon, of Riverside Avenue, Neyland was sentenced to a 24-month Community Order. He must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days which will include engagement with the Dyfed Drugs and Alcohol Service.

He must also pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 court costs.

Crime

Assault and harassment charges denied in court

Published

3 hours ago

October 2, 2024

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has appeared before magistrates accused of grabbing a woman’s ponytail and pulling her head backwards.

Joseph Lewis, 32, of Gloucester Way, Pembroke Dock, is accused of assaulting Laura Cherry by beating, on March 9.

“He grabbed her by her ponytail and pulled her back onto the sofa,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

Lewis is further accused of harassing Ms Cherry without violence by leaving a note inside her garden shed and by sending her Facebook messages, despite her informing him that she didn’t want any further contact with him. The harassment is alleged to have taken place between March 10 and April 4.

Lewis denies both charges.

The matter was adjourned until November 11 when his trial will take place at Haverfordwest magistrates court. He was released on conditional bail, the conditions being not to contact Laura Cherry and not to visit her home address.