Crime

Hotelier admits assault on partner at Fishguard venue

Published

1 year ago

January 21, 2025

A PEMBROKESHIRE hotelier has admitted pinning his partner to the wall after grabbing her by the chin and placing his hands around her neck.

Ex-boxer Daniel Jones, 35, was seen by a customer pinning his partner, Lois Thomas, to a wall in the Abergwaun Hotel, Fishguard, on the evening of January 2, 2025.

“It was around 6:15pm, when a gentleman and his wife looked through the window to check whether the restaurant was open for evening meals,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told District Judge Mark Layton sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this week.

“They saw a man, later identified as Daniel Jones, pinning a female against the wall. He appeared to be choking her.”

Concerned for the woman’s safety, the witness banged on the door.

“The door was opened by the defendant, who said the restaurant would open at 6:30pm,” continued Nia James. “When the witnesses returned, they were greeted at the door by Lois Thomas, and they asked her, by texting on their phone, whether she was okay. She said that she was, but the witnesses then left and contacted the police.”

Police officers arrived at The Abergwaun Hotel at 9:30pm, by which time the restaurant and pub had closed.

“The victim was reluctant to speak to officers, although she admitted that the defendant had pushed her against the wall,” said Nia James. “When she was asked if he’d put his hands around her neck, she replied, ‘Ish…but not really.’”

Nia James informed Judge Layton that the offence took place whilst Jones was on bail for allegedly assaulting his brother.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting Lois Thomas by beating and was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who confirmed that the couple have made no contact with each other since the offence.

Jones was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order during which he must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £200 compensation to Ms Thomas, a £114 court surcharge, and £85 costs.

“You grabbed your partner, pushed her against the wall and grabbed her neck,” commented Judge Layton when passing sentence. “She was a vulnerable person and your violence towards her is serious and unacceptable to this court.”

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

1 hour 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 hours 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.