Crime

Oil rig worker caught drink-driving in Pembroke Dock

Published

1 year ago

May 21, 2025

AN OIL rig fabricator has been banned from driving after being caught over the legal alcohol limit while behind the wheel in Pembroke Dock.

Police were called to Bush Street shortly before 11:00pm on May 2, after a member of the public reported concerns about a black van being driven erratically.

“They’d seen a black van pull out very fast and stop at the kebab shop,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest magistrates this week. “The driver was then seen banging on the door and was obviously drunk.”

Officers arrived to find 37-year-old Peter Sykes, who admitted he was driving the Ford van. A roadside breath test was positive, and a further test at the police station revealed 86 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – more than double the legal limit of 35.

Sykes, of Salamander Close, Grimsby, pleaded guilty to driving while over the alcohol limit and chose to represent himself in court.

“It was stupid,” he told magistrates. “I had problems at home and there’s nothing more I can say. It was stupid and I shouldn’t have done it.”

He explained that he works as a fabricator at oil refineries across the UK and Europe. “My boss said he’ll try and keep me in work, but if the disqualification affects my job, I’ll have to hand in my notice,” he added.

Magistrates disqualified Sykes from driving for 20 months. He was fined £3,500 and ordered to pay a £200 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

15 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

15 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.