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Crime

IPOC investigating after Haverfordwest woman claims unlawful arrest

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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

Court hears man exposed his flaccid manhood ‘by accident’

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A 21-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has appeared before magistrates charged with intentionally exposing his genitals in a public place.

Thomas Jones is accused of carrying out the act at a property in New Moat, Clarbeston Road, on November 9, 2022.

“The defendant knocked on the door of a female and offered his gardening services,” Crown prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“She accepted his offer and moved her car so that he could move his van, but when she turned around, she could see his flaccid penis was outside his trousers. When she pointed this out to him, he said he didn’t know that it was exposed.”

Jones denies the charge. He was released on unconditional bail to await his trial at Haverfordwest magistrates court on January 6.

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Crime

Regular cocaine user from Milford Haven taken off the road

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A MILFORD HAVEN resident who admits to being a regular cocaine user has lost his driving licence after being found behind the wheel when he was 15 times over the legal Benzoylecgonine limit.

Teifion Morse, 41, was stopped by officers just before midnight on May 1 following reports that he was driving his Vauxhall Insignia along the A477 at excessive speeds.

“The vehicle was travelling westwards towards Kilgetty, and Teifion Morse was the driver and the sole occupant, “ Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

A roadside drugs wipe proved positive while further blood tests carried out at the police custody suite showed that Morse had 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system (the legal limit is 50), and 20 mcg of cocaine. The legal limit is 10.

Ms James said that when Morse was spoken to by officers, he told them that he knew the readings would be positive. “I’ve done stupid amounts today,” he said.

Morse, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug driving. A probation report stated that since leaving the military five and a half years ago, Morse has suffered from mental health issues.

He’s been using cocaine as a coping mechanism,” said the probation officer. “He freely admits that he uses cocaine to help him cope, but it’s spiralled and is getting more and more out of control. He would like support to kick this habit.”

Morse chose to be legally unrepresented when he appeared before magistrates.

“It was my stupid fault and I’m trying to take the correct steps to get on the right path,” he said in mitigation.

Morse was sentenced to an 18-month community order during which he must carry out 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for 15 months and must pay a £140 court surcharge and £85 costs.

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Crime

Motorist manned from driving after being caught over limit

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A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been ordered off the roads after driving through Pembroke town centre when he was over the drink-drive limit.

Just before 1am on October 31, police officers stopped a Vauxhall Zafira that was being driven along South Road by Cameron Sell, 23, who was exceeding the speed limit.

“He was acting erratically when he was speaking to the officer,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverofrdwest magistrates this week.

A roadside breath test proved positive and subsequent breath tests carried out at the police station showed Sell had 42 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

After considering the facts, magistrates fined Sell £300 and ordered him to pay a £120 court surcharge and £85 costs. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

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