Crime

Man caught drink-driving after fleeing lover’s tiff

Published

2 years ago

October 8, 2024

A LOVER’S tiff resulted in a court appearance this week after a man fled from a property when his partner threw household items at his head.

But when Jonathan Langston called the police to inform them of his situation, he was stopped by officers less than a mile from his property, and found to be over the legal drink-drive limit.

“He had no intention of driving, but he’d had items thrown at him and was told to leave,” said his solicitor, Michael Kelleher.

Langston, 36, phoned the police to explain what was going on and officers apprehended his vehicle on the B4585 at Manorbier at around 10am on September 23. A roadside breath test proved positive, and subsequent intoximeter tests showed he had 41 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

Crown Prosecutor Nia James told magistrates that when arrested, Langston told officers, “I’d never have driven if I hadn’t had s*** thrown at me.”

Meanwhile Michael Kelleher said the defendant drives around 40,000 miles a year as a self-employed layer of resin floors.

“As a result of what’s happened, he’s now going to be unemployed,” he said.

Langston, who gave his address to the court as Brynbrain Road, Cwmllynfell, Swansea pleaded guilty to the charge of drink-driving. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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.