Crime

Homeless man jailed after threatening M&S staff with stick

Published

1 year ago

February 11, 2025

STAFF at a local branch of Marks and Spencer have spoken of their fear at being confronted by a customer who was shouting at them while brandishing a three-foot stick.

“I’ve worked in the store for the last ten years, but I’ve never experienced a male being that aggressive,” said Aly Barnes in a victim impact statement read out to Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“This was the first time I’ve ever been in genuine fear of a customer.”

The incident took place in the Carmarthen branch of Marks and Spencer on January 24 when Martin Sands, 45, was seen entering the food hall and placing some steaks inside his rucksack.

Store worker Aly Barnes gestured towards him to put the steaks back, to which Sands replied, “It was worth a try.”

“Aly Barnes asked him to leave, but the defendant became aggressive,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He told her he was homeless and lived outside, across the street.”

Sands continued to approach Ms Barnes, forcing her to raise her arm to cover her head.

“She believed this was necessary to protect herself from anything he would do to her,” said Nia James.

“She could feel him spitting saliva in her face while he was shouting at her.”

Hearing the commotion, Ms Barnes’ colleague, Katarzyna Evans, approached Sands and attempted to de-escalate the situation. Sands responded, shouting, “You devil worshipper.”

Hearing the aggressive shouting, a store manager entered the food hall where he saw Sands moving closer to Ms Barnes.

“He put himself between them, because he felt that Martin Sands was far too close to the pair, and believed he was going to punch one of them because he was so aggressive.”

The court was told that earlier that afternoon, Sands had been seen entering the Ladybug store in Carmarthen by an on-duty security guard. He was heard saying to a female member of staff, “I’m going to hit this stick over his head.”

“The security guard knew the threat was directed at him, and the female member of staff was shocked,” said Nia James.

After repeating the threat, Sands was told to leave the store and was seen walking down Lammas Street, waving the stick and shouting.

Following his arrest in Marks and Spencer, Sands was taken to Carmarthen police custody suite, where he became increasingly agitated, throwing food and a cup of coffee over the wall. This had to be removed by a contracted cleaner at a cost to Dyfed-Powys Police of £188.

Appearing before magistrates via a video link from Swansea Prison, Sands pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive, or insulting words and behaviour likely to cause harassment; common assault of Aly Barnes; common assault of Katarzyna Evans; and causing criminal damage to a police cell.

Sands was represented in court by solicitor Michael Kelleher.

“He was living rough in Carmarthen and he overreacted to the staff in Marks and Spencer, who believed he was going to steal the steaks,” he said.

“This wasn’t his intention as he had the money to pay. He’s very frustrated at his behaviour, but he realises now that at the time he was too proud to ask for help for his homelessness.”

Sands was sentenced to ten weeks in custody. He was ordered to pay £50 compensation to Aly Barnes and Katarzyna Evans, a £154 court surcharge, and £85 costs.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

4 hours 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

4 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.