Crime

IPOC investigating after Haverfordwest woman claims unlawful arrest

Published

2 years ago

October 25, 2024

A HAVERFORDWEST woman who was acquitted in Swansea Crown Court of charges relating to the assault of a police officer and damage to police equipment now wants to take her own legal action.

She has spoken out after her ordeal at being arrested, thrown into a police van and dragged to court – something which is now being looked into by the IOPC.

Sally Nolan, 51, of Three Meadows, faced accusations of criminal damage and assault by beating of an emergency worker after an incident in Haverfordwest on January 22.

She had called the police asking for help with one of her children but when officers arrived things got heated quickly, and voices were raised.

Nolan was arrested, and it was alleged that Nolan caused £21 worth of damage to a pair of handcuffs before assaulting a police officer.

She denied the charges and was initially set for trial in January at Swansea Crown Court.

However video footage from a police bodycam clearly shows that no assault took place.

Therefore, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was asked to reconsider whether proceeding with the case was in the public interest. During a hearing at Swansea Crown Court on October 22, the prosecution formally offered no evidence on both charges.

This week, Judge Paul Thomas KC entered not guilty verdicts, vacating the trial date and bringing the case to a close.

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald after the verdict had been delivered, Sally Nolan said: “I want the public to know after a call for help because of concerns for the welfare of one of my children, the police arrived at my house. Then it was turned on me, and I ended up being arrested and accused of being a perpetrator of a crime.

“I am innocent and this has been demonstrated in court now that my name has cleared.”

She added: “This case has completely crumbled me, ruined me, and turned my life upside-down.

“I am completely innocent and the police have let me down, and now I no longer trust them. I don’t feel I can ask for help from them again.

“I know they are not all bad but some of them are. I want to move out of Pembrokeshire now and this case has been the last straw.”

The police were asked to comment on this case, and shortly afterwards sent the following statement: “Following an investigation into an incident which occurred in Haverfordwest in January 2024, a charge of assault against a police officer was authorised by the CPS and a trial date was set for the defendant.

“The defendant complained that her arrest was unlawful shortly after. This was investigated by the Dyfed-Powys Police Professional Standards Department (PSD), who determined there was no evidence to substantiate her claims, and that there was a lawful basis for the arrest.

“The defendant was updated of this outcome in July 2024. She has since requested a review by the IOPC, which is ongoing.

“During recent court proceedings, the CPS determined the charges would not be taken any further and the case was closed. It would not be appropriate to comment further while we await the results of the IOPC review.”

Crime

Accused Milford Haven rapist to stand trial at Crown Court

Published

3 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared before magistrates accused of rape and sexual assault.

James Kershaw, 46, is charged with raping a woman in Milford Haven between February 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014.

He also faces a charge of sexually assaulting a female over the age of 13 by penetration with his finger between December 1 and December 30, 2012.

Kershaw appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 23) by video link and denied both charges.

Due to the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to Swansea Crown Court, where Kershaw is due to appear for a pre-trial hearing on July 24.

He was released on conditional bail, with the sole condition that he must not contact the complainant.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

3 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

3 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.