Crime

Man brandished chainsaw outside shop after grabbing child’s scooter

Published

1 year ago

February 25, 2025

A NORTH Pembrokeshire man has been sentenced for brandishing a chainsaw outside a local store after grabbing a child and the child’s scooter.

Soon after 8:30pm on December 3, 2024, a 999 call was made by a member of the public stating that a male was acting erratically outside the Premier Store in Clynderwen. The male was later identified as Rhydian Morse, 39, who was standing in the middle of the road, holding an operating chainsaw.

Some 30 minutes earlier, a member of staff working inside the store saw Morse drive up in a BMW, playing loud music. He got out of the vehicle and was seen to enter and leave the store on numerous occasions. He was also seen kicking a small plastic bin which had been positioned beside the shop’s coffee station.

After leaving the store, Morse was seen approaching a 13-year-old child who was riding a scooter.

“The defendant grabbed the scooter and started to play with it,” said Nia James. “He then grabbed the child by his arms, swore at him, and pulled the child’s hood over his head.”

Morse then walked back to his car and removed a chainsaw from the boot.

“He started it up and was waving it around in the road,” said Nia James.

“A witness thought he was going to be approached by him, while some young children were seen waiting inside the store, concerned about leaving.”

Morse, of Precelly View, Grondre, Clynderwen, eventually put the chainsaw back into his car and drove off.

He pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour, causing criminal damage to the plastic bin, assault by beating, and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

After considering a full psychiatric assessment outlining the reasons for his behaviour, Morse was sentenced to 34 weeks in custody, suspended for 18 months, during which he must carry out 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was ordered to pay £75 compensation to the child, £85 costs, and a £187 court surcharge. A destruction order was imposed on the chainsaw.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

9 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

9 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.