Crime

Prison ‘feels like heaven’ compared to Pembrokeshire, court told

Published

1 year ago

May 7, 2025

A MAN accused of threatening behaviour told a court that life in Swansea Prison “feels like heaven compared to living in Pembrokeshire.”

Steven Camp, 39, made the remarks via video link from custody, addressing magistrates at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (May 6) after being granted conditional bail.

“Everything is calm and tranquil in here, but out there it’s totally different,” said Camp. “It feels like heaven here, compared to being back in Pembrokeshire.”

Camp was remanded in custody following three allegations of using threatening, abusive and insulting words or behaviour towards three individuals in Neyland on April 29.

The Crown alleges that the first incident took place in the Co-op supermarket in Neyland, where Camp is accused of directing abusive language at a customer. He then allegedly walked onto the cycle track linking Neyland and Johnston, where he is said to have used similar language towards two more people.

“Each of the victims were independent parties who were caused alarm or distress by his behaviour,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“In one of the incidents, he came so close to the woman and just burped in her face. These people are now so frightened, they don’t want to visit the area while he continues residing there.”

Camp’s solicitor, Michael Kelleher, said the defendant’s behaviour had been aggravated by ongoing abuse directed at him on social media.

“He’s being violated by Facebook, and people are linking this information to the fact that he walks the cycle track regularly to pursue people,” said Mr Kelleher. “That’s wrong, as many people are convinced Facebook is the fount of all knowledge. So he’s now taking pictures of people he supposes are harassing him.”

Camp, of Silverdale Lodge, Johnston, entered not guilty pleas to all three charges.

A request by the prosecution to remand him in custody until trial was rejected. Camp was released on conditional bail. The bail conditions include that he lives and sleeps at Silverdale Lodge, does not enter the Haverfordwest-to-Neyland cycle track, does not contact prosecution witnesses, and does not enter Neyland.

His trial is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 23.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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.