Crime

Drunken assault in Pembroke leaves victim with fractured jaw

Published

12 months ago

May 16, 2025

A NIGHT out in Pembroke turned violent just before Christmas last year when a man attacked another reveller, leaving him with a broken jaw.

Brandon Williamson, 24, of Meyrick Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Swansea Crown Court where he admitted a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm following the incident.

The court was told that the assault took place in the early hours of December 23, 2023, outside the Out nightclub. The victim and his friends had been leaving the venue around 3:00am when they encountered Williamson’s group standing near the exit. A remark made in passing sparked an altercation, prompting security staff to intervene quickly and separate those involved.

Moments later, the victim was seen speaking with doormen near the entrance to The Castle Inn when Williamson pointed him out, then suddenly ran towards him and struck him in the face. Blood poured from the victim’s mouth, and he and his friends attempted to leave the area.

However, Williamson and his brother followed, leading to another confrontation further up the street.

In a twist, Williamson himself attended Withybush Hospital three days later, where it was confirmed he had also sustained a fractured jaw during the scuffle. His mother later reported the incident online, and he was arrested on August 17, 2024, at his partner’s home.

Although police had identified Williamson early in the investigation, delays in securing medical reports contributed to the case taking months to reach court.

While Williamson had no previous convictions, the court heard he had received police cautions in the past for drug possession and a separate incident of actual bodily harm which took place after the nightclub assault.

In mitigation, defence solicitor Stuart John said Williamson had been honest about his actions from the outset and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. He acknowledged that alcohol had played a significant role in his client’s behaviour and told the court Williamson had since stopped drinking entirely.

Judge Catherine Richards told Williamson he was fortunate not to be facing more severe charges, warning that similar cases had ended in tragedy for others.

“You’ve been lucky,” she said. “This is your warning.”

Williamson received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, complete a 120-day alcohol abstinence programme with monitoring, and attend 25 rehabilitation sessions.

Crime

Local carpenter retains driving licence despite previous ban

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A Herbrandston carpenter has been allowed to keep his driving licence despite a previous driving disqualification for using his mobile phone whilst driving.

Addressing District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this week, Simon Shaw stressed the disqualification was having a major impact on his work commitment as well as his ability to support members of his family.

“If the ban continues, at least two of my five employees will have to be lost” said Shaw, who works as a self-employed carpenter operating from Herbrandston and the Milford Haven Industrial Estate.

“We travel throughout the whole of West Wales and also work at Thorne Island, where we’ve been providing logistical support for renovations for the last four years.”

Shaw, of Triplestone Close, Herbrandston, went on to say that his business has only one other driver who works as a reserve fire fighter.

“As a result, he’s not available to provide the 24 hour cover we provide to various care homes in the county,” he said.

Simon Shaw concluded by stating that his daughter is also dependent on his support having recently given birth to twins while his son-in-law and his partner’s mother are both currently undergoing serious healthcare treatments.

“I’m trying to provide as much logistical support for them as I can, but without my driving licence, this is impossible,” he said.

After listening to his comments, Judge Layton granted Shaw permission to retain his licence.

Crime

Delivery driver caught twice over legal drink-drive limit

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A DELIVERY driver has been banned from the roads after being caught behind the wheel when he was over twice the legal drink-drive limit.

Twenty-nine year old Sam Rowe was stopped by officers just before 9.30 am on April 20 as he drove his Vauxhall Vivaro along Ferry Lane in Pembroke Dock.

“His speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this week.

“There was also a strong smell of intoxicants emanating from him.”

When spoken to by the officers, Rowe stated he’d drunk a pint of alcohol approximately an hour before being stopped, however subsequent breathalyser tests showed he had no less than 75 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

Rowe, of Hazel Close, Pontypool, pleaded guilty to the offence and was represented in court by solicitor Michael Kelleher who informed the court that the defendant was holidaying in Pembrokeshire at the time of the offence.

“His daughter fell ill and he was attempting to find painkillers for her at a supermarket,” he said. “He’s very remorseful and is now going to lose his job as a delivery driver.”

Rowe, who has no previous convictions, was disqualified from driving for a total of 20 months. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Crime

Police tip-off leads to driving ban for Milford motorist

Published

9 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE motorist has lost his licence after police received information that the 40-year-old male may have been driving under the influence of drugs.

This week Haverfordwest Magistrates court was told that at around 8.30pm on November 22 officers received a call informing them that Michael Miles was suspected of driving his Peugeot Bipper through Milford Haven after consuming drugs.

Miles was subsequently stopped on Marble Hall Road and when spoken to by the officers, he informed them that he was a drug user. A saliva sample tested positive for cocaine while further tests carried out at the police station showed that Miles had 760 mcg of the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine in his system, the legal limit being 50.

Miles, of Milford Road, Steynton, chose to be legally unrepresented in court and pleaded guilty to the drug-driving charge.

The probation service said he was very remorseful for the offence and has since had appointments with the Dyfed Drugs and Alcohol Service to help him deal with his drug usage. Miles was served with an interim driving disqualification however as a result of his previous non-payment of fines, his punitive sentencing was adjourned to Thursday, May 7.

“If you pay your outstanding fines before Thursday, you will be fined for this offence,” warned District Judge Mark Layton. “But if you don’t pay, you will be given a custodial sentence.”