Crime

Tree surgeon ‘hits a nerve’ after hearing derogatory comments about his mother

Published

2 years ago

November 6, 2024

A COURT has heard how a self-employed tree surgeon ‘hit a nerve’ when a customer at a Narberth pub began hurling derogatory comments at him concerning his mother.

Ashley Willliams, 34, refused to accept the comments made to him by fellow drinker Paul Deary, during the incident at The Dragon Inn, Narberth, on the night of October 18, 2023.

“They’d both been drinking at the pub but then suddenly, at around 10pm, the complainant made significant derogatory comments to the defendant from absolutely nowhere, about having sex with his mother,” said Wiliams’ solicitor, Mr Tom Lloyd.

As a result, Ashley Williams, of Stoneyford Farm, Narberth, launched himself at Mr Deary and pushed him backwards, causing his head to hit a wall. The force of the impact resulted in considerable injuries to the back of Paul Deary’s head, and a photograph of the wound was shown to the magistrates.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan said Mr Deary required hospital treatment for his injury and sustained 45 stitches to the back of his head which will result in a permanent scar.

In a victim impact statement read out to the court , Mr Deary said the assault has had a profound impact on his life.

“This has made me feel unsafe in my home town,” he said. “I’m now sofa surfing because I don’t want to be there any more.”

During the altercation, Mr Deary’s mobile phone and necklace were both damaged

Ashley Williams pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Deary causing actual bodily harm and was legally represented in court by Mr Tom Lloyd.

“It wasn’t his intention to cause that degree of injury,” said Mr Lloyd. “But those completely inappropriate derogatory comments were made and possibly the most important thing to consider is that this all started by that degree of provocation. And that’s crucial.”

Meanwhile probation officer Julie Norman said that Williams, who is a self-employed tree surgeon, arrived at the pub after finishing work earlier that evening.

“He drank around eight pints of alcohol and as a result, those comments [made by Mr Deary] hit a nerve. If the defendant hadn’t been drinking, he’d have walked away.”

Williams was sentenced to 26 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months. He must pay a total of £500 compensation to Mr Deary, which includes £200 for the damage caused to his mobile phone and necklace. He must pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

He was also ordered to carry out ten rehabilitation activity requirement days and must wear an alcohol monitoring tag for the next 120 days.

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.