Crime

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

Published

11 months 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

Carmarthen man denies coercive control allegations

Published

1 hour ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody ahead of further hearing

A CARMARTHEN man has denied allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour towards his partner during a prolonged period of alleged abuse.

Mark Hanson, aged 51, of no fixed abode but previously linked to Llangunnor Road, Llangunnor, Carmarthen, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for a further case management hearing on Wednesday (Mar 19).

The court heard that Hanson is accused of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship, contrary to Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015.

It is alleged that between January 1, 2024 and March 12, 2026, at Stackpole, Hanson repeatedly or continuously subjected a female to threats of violence. Prosecutors say the pair were partners at the time, and that the behaviour had a serious effect on the complainant, which Hanson either knew or ought to have known.

Hanson entered a not guilty plea to the charge on March 13.

The court was told that he has been remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, with magistrates citing concerns that he may commit further offences, including causing injury or fear of injury to a person connected to the case.

Additional information presented to the court indicated that Hanson is currently serving a custodial sentence of two months for breaching a Domestic Violence Protection Order.

The case was adjourned for a further case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 23) at 10:00am. The hearing is expected to be conducted via video link and is listed for a duration of 20 minutes.

Magistrates Mr A Allison, Mrs J Morris and Mr D England presided over the hearing. The prosecution was led by Sian Vaughan, with Hanson represented by Alaw Harries of DGJ Solicitors.

Crime

Youth, 15, admits assault on police officer in Milford Haven

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A 15-YEAR-OLD has admitted assaulting a police officer during an incident in Milford Haven.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the offence took place on Saturday (Mar 1), when the youth assaulted Police Constable 573 Evans.

The defendant appeared before magistrates on Wednesday (Mar 19), where a guilty plea to common assault was entered.

The court granted unconditional bail and adjourned the case for sentencing.

The youth is due to appear again at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 2) at 10:00am for sentencing. The hearing is expected to last around 30 minutes.

Under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, the youth cannot be identified.

Crime

Youth given conditional discharge after series of offences in Haverfordwest

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A YOUTH has been given a conditional discharge after admitting a series of offences in Haverfordwest, including assault, shop theft and interfering with motor vehicles.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the offences took place over a number of days in December 2025.

The court was told that on Saturday (Dec 6), the youth assaulted another child by beating them during an incident in the town. On the same date, they also stole two cans of Red Bull worth £5.40 from Tesco.

Further offences were committed on Tuesday (Dec 9), when the youth interfered with multiple vehicles at a vehicle repair workshop at Havens Head Business Park, Milford Haven. The offences involved attempts to interfere with vehicles with the intention of theft.

The youth appeared before magistrates on Wednesday (Mar 19), where guilty pleas were entered to all matters.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge for each offence, taking into account the early guilty pleas.

The court also ordered the youth to pay £100 in compensation to the victim of the assault and £5.40 in compensation to Tesco. No order for costs was made due to the financial circumstances involved.

Under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, the youth cannot be identified.