Crime

Haverfordwest man assaulted partner during pub row over drugs

Published

1 year ago

May 18, 2025

A HAVERFORDWEST man assaulted his partner during a night out after she told him he could not take drugs, a court has heard.

Swansea Crown Court was told that Kieran Vaughan and his partner had gone out for lunch and drinks on March 8 when the incident took place.

Prosecutor Georgia Donohue said that while they were out socialising, Vaughan was approached by another person and began discussing drugs. When his partner told him he was not to take any drugs that evening, tensions escalated.

The pair moved on to another pub, where an argument broke out. During the dispute, Vaughan grabbed his partner’s hand and tried to pull her engagement ring off her finger.

She later attended A&E with pain in her arm. Although no fracture was found, she was believed to have suffered a sprained wrist. She left the hospital before receiving treatment.

Vaughan was arrested later that day and initially denied any assault.

He was originally charged with several offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of strangulation, assault by beating, controlling and coercive behaviour, and sending a threatening message.

However, all charges except the ABH were later dropped after the victim withdrew her support for the prosecution and indicated she wanted to resume the relationship.

Vaughan, aged 37 and of Caradoc Place, subsequently pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of assault by beating. The prosecution accepted the plea.

The court heard that Vaughan has 27 previous convictions for 44 offences and was already subject to a community order at the time of the assault.

Defending, Jon Tarrant said his client had spent the equivalent of four months in custody on remand and had been aware the complainant no longer supported the case before he entered his guilty plea.

Sentencing, Judge Huw Rees imposed a four-month prison term, meaning Vaughan would be released immediately under standard prison release arrangements.

The existing community order remains in force.

“There is a lot of work for you to do,” Judge Rees told him.

Community concern reignites over Caradoc Place address

Following Vaughan’s release, concerns have resurfaced among neighbours in the Furzy Park and Caradoc Place area of Haverfordwest, where both he and his partner reside.

Six residents have previously written to housing association ATEB demanding action over ongoing disturbances at the address, citing antisocial behaviour, threats, and intimidation.

One neighbour told The Herald this on Friday evening: “He is back at the house. We are all worried. The police told us nothing—he just turned up.”

In March, the situation prompted a major police response after an incident at the property led to the arrest of a woman. At that time, neighbours described chaotic scenes as the arrest unfolded, with one mother, Yana Gencheva, tearfully recounting how the stress was affecting her autistic daughter.

Another neighbour, Jan Davies, who has lived in Caradoc Place for over a decade, said in a letter to ATEB: “It’s currently impossible to live in Caradoc Place. We are not enjoying retirement—we’re living in fear in our own homes.”

The Herald has contacted ATEB again for comment on the renewed anxiety in the community following Vaughan’s return.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

6 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

6 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.