Crime

Man jailed for assaults and damage to probation office

Published

1 year ago

March 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A MAN has been jailed for a series of assaults and criminal damage at a probation service office.

Michael Carruthers, 33, of no fixed abode, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with five offences.

The court heard that on February 28, Carruthers caused damage to the front office of Haverfordwest Probation Office. He was also charged with assaulting an emergency worker and three counts of assault by beating on the same day.

Carruthers pleaded guilty to all charges on March 3.

These offences were committed while he was serving a suspended sentence for attempted shoplifting and assaulting a man at Morrisons in Haverfordwest on November 26.

Magistrates sentenced Carruthers to 24 weeks in prison for the latest offences, with an additional 18 weeks activated from his suspended sentence.

He was also ordered to pay £250 in compensation and £85 in costs.

Previous offences

Carruthers has a long history of criminal behaviour. In June 2020, he was arrested for causing a disturbance at a Nisa shop in Johnston, where he was verbally abusive to staff, threw items around the store, and smashed bottles of wine. He was charged with theft and criminal damage, to which he pleaded guilty.

More recently, in June 2024, he was jailed for a spate of shoplifting offences in Haverfordwest and Milford Haven. On May 4, he attempted to steal items from Tesco in Milford Haven, but when confronted by staff, he became aggressive and grabbed a staff member by the wrist.

Two days earlier, police were called to an address in Milford Haven regarding an incident involving Carruthers. While being arrested, he resisted, attempted to headbutt the cage inside the police van, and kicked an officer in the shin.

Carruthers also stole alcohol and vapes from Home Bargains in Haverfordwest on April 16.

In January 2025, he narrowly avoided jail after assaulting a security guard at Morrisons in Haverfordwest while attempting to steal food. He pushed the guard, causing him to fall and injure his shoulder. At the time, he was described in court as struggling with homelessness and substance abuse. He was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 28 weeks, along with 20 rehabilitation activity days.

Despite previous opportunities for rehabilitation, Carruthers has continued to offend, leading to his latest custodial sentence.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

18 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

19 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.