A SUBSTANTIAL quantity of drugs was uncovered in a building just a few doors away from a police station in Newcastle Emlyn.

Dyfed-Powys Police seized 435 cannabis plants from the former Co-op shop on Wednesday, November 6, after securing a search warrant. The building is located only four doors down from the town’s police station.

A local worker, who wished to remain anonymous, told BBC Wales, “I’m not surprised drugs were found there—the smell has been around for at least a month.”

Officials confirmed that no arrests have been made so far, and investigations are ongoing. Police stated that officers will maintain a presence in the area as the inquiry continues.

A SHOPLIFTER has appeared before magistrates after admitting stealing food and alcohol from two stores in Pembroke Dock

John Ashby, 37, was seen stealing two crates of San Miguel lager valued at £22 from B&M Bargains on July 8 while on Hallowe’en of this year he entered the Farm Foods store, and stole 12 food items valued at £80.61.

His solicitor, Michael Kellher, said that the offences were committed after Ashby relocated to Pembrokeshire from London, where he was employed as a bricklayer.

“He’s always been in employment, but since moving to Pembrokeshire he hasn’t been able to find a job,” he said.  “He hasn’t signed on for Universal Credit with the result that he stole the foodstuffs out of necessity.”

Meanwhile probation officer Julie Norman said that Ashby’s Halloween theft was committed after the defendant had been placed on a Community Order, imposed on September 24, for a previous shoplifting conviction.

“Having said that, he’s attended all appointments with the probation service,” she said.  “The Community Order was given following his first ever conviction, so he doesn’t trouble the courts on a regular basis.”

After asking to address the magistrates, Ashby apologised to the court for his behaviour.

“I’m not a bad person,” he said.  “I’ve worked since the age of 16, but I’m not excusing my behaviour.”

Ashby was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 surcharge.  He must also pay £80.61 compensation to Farm Foods and £22 compensation to B&M.

AN internet dating app relationship has resulted in a four-figure fine for a Pembrokeshire man after he refused to accept that a two-month relationship was over.

Gareth Thomas, 51, met Rachel Blundell on an unknown dating app in January of this year.

“The relationship lasted for seven or eight weeks, they had meals out together and the defendant stayed over at her property on a few occasions,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“The relationship came to an end for whatever reason, but the defendant chose to continue sending her texts which were persistent and unwanted.”

In a victim impact statement read out to the court, Ms Blundell said that Thomas’s persistence left her feeling anxious.

“I’m unsure why he feels the need to contact me, because the relationship is over,” she said.

“He knows where I live and I’m afraid he’ll start causing issues with me.  I just want him to accept that the relationship is over and he’ll leave me alone because it makes me feel alarmed, harassed and distressed.  I’m scared about what he might do in the future.”

Thomas, of Gatehouse View, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to a charge of harassment without violence.  He was represented in court by Mr Michael Kelleher.

“He agrees that there was repeated contact with Ms Blundell, but there were no threats nor violence.”

Mr Kelleher went on to say that Thomas was confused following Ms Blundell’s decision to terminate the relationship.

“She claimed that her father had been taken ill, but then went onto another dating site, and my client couldn’t quite understand why.  He was confused, he didn’t know why it happened, and he was even optimistic that she’d have second thoughts and they could sort things out.  He was never once told not to contact her.”

Meanwhile probation officer Charmaine Fox said that Thomas believed the way in which Ms Blundell ended the relationship was ‘a lie’.

“In the past he’s been able to rekindle a relationship, and he thought this may happen again.  But things are very different in modern society, and the way people contact each other is now very different.”

Thomas was fined £833 and ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.  He was sentenced to a 12-month community order during which he must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.  He must also adhere to a 12-month restraining order preventing him from approaching and entering any address which Ms Blundell may reside in and not to enter any electronic data that refers directly to Ms Blundell.