Crime

Silverdale resident drove after drinking to escape ‘distressing living conditions’

Published

1 year ago

April 2, 2025

A COURT has heard how a resident of Silverdale Lodge was so desperate to escape his difficult living conditions that he drove off in his van while intoxicated, following a drinking spree.

Bobby Williams, 41, was spotted in his parked vehicle by officers on the evening of March 4. When they spoke to him, he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Subsequent ANPR checks confirmed that he had been driving the van approximately ten minutes earlier.

A roadside breath test proved positive, and a further test at Haverfordwest police station showed he had 88 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath—more than twice the legal limit. However, Williams refused to provide the required evidential samples when requested by officers.

He appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week, where he pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Defending, solicitor Tom Lloyd said that Williams had struggled to rebuild his life following a prison sentence for stalking his former partner.

“Things haven’t been easy for him,” said Mr Lloyd. “He used to be a self-employed builder in Newport [Glamorgan], but due to post-custodial licence conditions, he is no longer allowed to return there.

“He’s been living in Silverdale Lodge—this court is well aware of the challenges residents face there. The defendant isn’t used to that sort of lifestyle, and that night, things weren’t particularly comfortable. He went out with the intention of sleeping in his van. He just wanted to get away.”

Mr Lloyd added that since his release from custody, Williams had made significant progress with his probation requirements.

“He’s taken every step to address his behaviour and complied fully with probation. He’s doing extremely well,” he said.

Magistrates imposed a 24-month Community Order, including 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a 120-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement. Williams was also disqualified from driving for 24 months and must pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

12 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

12 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.