Crime

Drunk motorist sentenced after near-fatal crash in Milford Haven

Published

2 years ago

October 15, 2024

A MILFORD HAVEN motorist has been sentenced by a district judge after admitting to crashing her car into a telegraph pole while over twice the legal drink-drive limit. The collision, which narrowly avoided a tragedy involving a mother and her baby, occurred on Milton Crescent late at night on September 28.

The driver, 38-year-old Louise Sheil, was found by police shortly after 11:30 am near the scene of the crash. Officers were called to the area following reports that a black Audi A5 had mounted the pavement and struck a telegraph pole, narrowly missing a pram carrying a baby.

When officers arrived, they found Sheil standing near the entrance to Milton Crescent, with the damaged Audi parked nearby. According to Crown Prosecutor Nia James, “She smelt of intoxicants, and the keys of the Audi were on her.” When questioned by police, Sheil admitted, “Yeah, I hit a f****** post over there.”

The mother involved in the incident, Deanna Potter, had been walking with her baby, Danny, when the car veered off the road. The telegraph pole, which absorbed the impact of the crash, is believed to have saved them from being struck directly. Potter recounted the terrifying ordeal, stating that after the collision, the driver appeared indifferent and attempted to leave the scene, but her car was too badly damaged to flee.

Police arrested Sheil at the scene after she failed four attempts to provide a roadside breath test. At the station, she gave a breath test reading of 80 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath—more than double the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

In court, Sheil pleaded guilty to the offence of drink-driving. Her solicitor, Jess Hill, explained that Sheil had been driving a short distance of just two miles to pick up her partner from a party and acknowledged that she was over the limit.

Sheil was disqualified from driving for 20 months and fined £150. Additionally, she was ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £16 victim surcharge.

While Sheil faces the consequences of her actions, it is a relief that no one was seriously injured. Deanna Potter and her baby, although shaken, are reported to be unharmed. The damaged telegraph pole and pram bear witness to what could have been a much more tragic outcome.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

18 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

18 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.