Crime

Suspended sentence following serious threats to a 14-year-old child

Published

2 years ago

October 29, 2024

A 58-YEAR-OLD man has been spared a jail sentence despite terrifying a 14-year-old child by threatening to ‘put him into the ground’.

John Jenkins was brought before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence after admitting assaulting and ill treating the child at a previous hearing, causing him unnecessary suffering.

“You shouted aggressively in the child’s face and you terrified him,” said District Judge Mark Layton when imposing sentence.

“You called him a bully which was ironic, because this is what you were at the time.”

The assault took place in the early hours of November 26, 2022 at a property in Jameston where the child lives with his mother.

Jenkins, of Quoits Mill Ponds, Hundleton and the child’s mother had spent the evening drinking at a local pub, and at approximately 10pm, the child went to the pub alone, looking for his mother, as he wanted her to return home. The couple declined.

They eventually returned the property at 2am, however the defendant became angry when he discovered the child wasn’t in bed.

Jenkins chased him upstairs and when the boy fell over, the defendant pinned him down by putting his arms on either side of him, preventing him from moving away.

“At the same time, the defendant made some very damaging comments towards the child in the nature of threats,” said Crown Prosecutor Nia James. “These were captured on the child’s mobile phone.”

Jenkins could be heard shouting at the child, “If you don’t change, I’ll put you in the ground.

“I’m not putting up with your s***, do you understand?

“Who’s the boss? Your mother is. So f*** off.”

Throughout the harrowing incident, the child could be heard crying and repeatedly saying, ‘Yes John.’

At one point he could be heard saying, ‘Mum, help me!’ while a woman’s voice could be heard saying ‘No’.

Jenkins was represented in court by solicitor Mr Tom Lloyd who said the defendant was deeply remorseful for the offence.

“The loss of control at the time was something that he deeply regrets,” he said.

Jenkins was sentenced to 24 weeks in custody suspended for two years. He must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and was ordered to pay £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

“If you commit any further offences, particularly towards this child, then you will be sent to prison. I want to be absolutely clear about that,” said Judge Layton.

He awarded no compensation to the 14-year-old victim.

“Given the age of the victim, the compensation will doubtlessly go to the mother,” he said. “I can’t see it going to the child, so there will be no compensation.”

Crime

Police standoff ends after four-hour incident in Pembroke Dock

Published

5 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ELIZABETH COURT SCENE STOOD DOWN AFTER DOMESTIC INCIDENT

A FOUR-HOUR police standoff in Pembroke Dock has ended with a 21-year-old man arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident at Elizabeth Court has now been stood down and the scene released.

The man has been taken to hospital to receive medical attention.

Chief Inspector Dominic Jones said: “I want to thank local residents for their patience while we dealt with this incident. I understand that such a large police presence in a residential street is concerning to see, and I’m grateful to everyone who co-operated with our officers at the scene.

“I’d like to offer my reassurance that our units responded to an isolated domestic incident, and there was no further threat posed to the wider community. The scene has now been released, and we will investigate the full circumstances of this morning’s incident.”

Officers were called to the address this morning (Saturday, May 9), with a large police presence remaining in the area for several hours.

Eyewitnesses told The Herald that police were asking a man upstairs to come down, with tasers drawn during the incident.

Police dogs, specialist officers and what appeared to be a negotiator were also seen at the scene.

The incident lasted from around 11:00am until about 3:10pm.

Crime

Teen denies attempted murder of Milford Haven teacher

Published

8 hours ago

May 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TEENAGER REMANDED AHEAD OF JULY TRIAL

A 15-YEAR-old boy has denied attempting to murder a teacher during a stabbing incident at Milford Haven School.

The teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (May 8).

He pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and unlawful wounding with a knife.

The charges relate to an incident at Milford Haven School on Thursday, February 5, when emergency services were called after reports that a teacher had been assaulted by a pupil carrying a weapon.

The school was placed into lockdown and pupils were later safely evacuated.

The injured teacher was taken to hospital with stab wounds, but was discharged later the same day.

Police said at the time that specialist officers were supporting the victim and the wider school community.

The teenager was remanded in custody following Friday’s hearing.

A trial is due to begin on July 6.

Crime

Racial abuse suspect barricaded himself inside Johnston lodge

Published

2 days ago

May 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ARMED police were called to a supported accommodation building in Johnston after a man allegedly barricaded himself inside a room while behaving aggressively and racially abusing staff.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed officers were called to Silverdale Lodge at around 8:55am on Saturday (May 2) following reports of disorder involving a resident.

According to police, the man allegedly acted aggressively towards staff members and made racially abusive comments before barricading himself inside a room at the property.

The force said armed officers were deployed to ensure the safety of staff, other occupants and the man himself.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police was called to Silverdale Lodge in Johnston at approximately 8.55am on May 2 following a report of a male behaving in an aggressive manner and being racially abusive towards a member of staff.

“Officers attended the scene and the male had barricaded himself in a room.

“In order to ensure the safety of the male, staff members and other occupants of the building, armed officers attended the scene.

“The man was detained and arrested. There were no injuries to members of staff or officers reported. There is currently no ongoing threat to the public.”

Police confirmed Billy Pitman, aged 29, has been charged with racially aggravated public order offences, criminal damage and threats to cause criminal damage in connection with the incident.

Pitman was remanded into custody and appeared before Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Monday (May 4).

We will bring you the court result as we receive it.