Crime

Man greeted police with illegal zombie knife in Haverfordwest

Published

10 months ago

February 25, 2025

A COURT has heard how Haverfordwest police officers became fearful for their safety after being greeted by a man carrying an illegal zombie knife.

Officers had been called to a property in Winch Lane, Haverfordwest, just after 10:00pm on February 5 following reports that somebody was ‘smashing up’ one of the flats inside Glebe House.

“When officers arrived they heard banging coming from the property,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

After knocking on the front door, the officers were greeted by 25-year-old Jack Mills.

“His right hand was hidden behind the door so that whatever he was holding couldn’t be seen,” said Nia James.

“When he was asked what was in his hand, Jack Mills moved to the centre of the door and officers could see that he was carrying a large combat-style knife. The officers became scared for their safety so they red-dotted him and instructed him to put his hands in the air and drop the knife.”

After retrieving the knife, officers could see that it had a serrated blade with the words ‘Kombat Tactical’ written on it.

“This meant it was a zombie knife, which is illegal to possess, even in your own home,” said Nia James.

After pleading guilty to being in possession of the illegal weapon in a private place, Mills’ solicitor, Mike Kelleher, said he was holding the knife out of concern for who may have been knocking on his door.

“A few days earlier someone had tried to break down his door, to the extent that the door frame was weakened and cracked,” he said.

“When the officers arrived, it wasn’t the defendant who was smashing up his flat, as the banging was coming from another flat upstairs.

“Someone then began banging on his front door and at the same time, an alarm started going off. The defendant was simply concerned about who might have been knocking on his door.”

Mr Kelleher told magistrates that Mills had bought the zombie knife before they were made illegal by new government legislation introduced in September 2024.

“This knife started off as a legal implement but has since become illegal,” he said. “Are people aware of this?

“It wasn’t used for any threatening purpose but stayed behind his back the whole time.”

Mr Kelleher informed magistrates that Mills is employed by a local construction company.

Mills was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months. He must also carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 120 hours of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs while a destruction order was imposed on the zombie knife.

Crime

Van driver avoids ban after speeding on A48

Published

6 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Court Reporter

A VAN driver who was caught speeding on the A48 near Nantycaws avoided disqualification after magistrates accepted that a ban would cause exceptional hardship to others.

Norman Andrew Chapman, aged 59, of Rock Drive, Gelli, Pentre, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

Chapman admitted driving a Ford Transit 350 panel van at 68mph on a dual carriageway subject to a 60mph limit for that class of vehicle. The offence occurred at 1:05pm on April 2 and was detected using laser equipment.

The court heard detailed mitigation outlining Chapman’s caring responsibilities. He helps care for his housebound mother, who is on oxygen, and has taken on additional responsibilities while his brother undergoes cancer treatment. Magistrates were also told he assists a lifelong friend with panic attacks by taking her shopping, and that losing his licence would jeopardise his employment and potentially affect his employer’s business.

Finding exceptional hardship, the court decided not to disqualify Chapman.

He was fined £193, ordered to pay £400 in prosecution costs, and had three penalty points added to his driving licence.

Crime

Harassment case against Milford Haven man dismissed

Published

6 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Court Reporter

A HARASSMENT case against a Milford Haven man was dismissed after prosecutors offered no evidence.

David Daley, aged 45, of Murray Road, Milford Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15) for trial.

Daley had denied a charge of harassment without violence, relating to allegations that between October 28 and October 30 he persistently sent unwanted messages and attended at the home address of a female in Prioryville, Milford Haven.

No evidence was offered by the Crown Prosecution Service, and the charge was formally dismissed by the court.

Crime

Carmarthen man given restraining order after public order offence

Published

6 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Court Reporter

A CARMARTHEN man has been handed a restraining order after admitting a public order offence involving a woman known to him.

Joe Davies, aged 40, of Rhos Las, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15), where he pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

The offence took place in Carmarthen on April 10, when Davies directed his behaviour towards Helena Davies.

The court heard that a victim personal statement was presented and read aloud by the prosecution.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge, taking Davies’ guilty plea into account. He was also ordered to pay £350 in prosecution costs.

A restraining order was imposed, banning Davies from contacting Helena Davies directly or indirectly, entering her home, or referring to her on any electronic device or online platform. The order will remain in force until December 15, 2026.