Crime

Cilgerran man jailed after making graphic death threats to son

Published

1 year ago

May 26, 2025

A CILGERRAN man who made a string of graphic and chilling threats to kill his own son has been jailed for 18 months.

Fraser Bourke-Connell, aged 53, appeared at Swansea Crown Court where he admitted two counts of making threats to kill, sending threatening communications, harassment without violence, and threatening to damage property.

The court heard that the offences took place between June and October last year.

Prosecutor Ashanti-Jade Walton told the court that on September 7, Bourke-Connell was returning from the theatre in Cardigan with his partner when he suddenly became agitated. During the journey, he demanded she drive him to his son’s home, stating that his son “needs to die” and that he planned to “kill him tonight”.

He was arrested but later released on bail.

The court was told that on October 4, during a conversation with his mental health advocate, Bourke-Connell said he wanted to stab his son “with his own femur”. A few days later, he made further threats during another call, stating he wanted to strangle and mutilate his son, and make his partner witness the act.

On October 7, he turned up at his son’s step-brother’s home demanding spare keys to his son’s car. When the request was refused, Bourke-Connell jabbed his finger into the man’s chest and threatened to “smash everything” in his storage unit before damaging his son’s car.

The defendant was also convicted of harassment over a barrage of unwanted messages sent to his son between June 30 and August 31, in which he said he wanted him to die and graphically described acts of violence.

Defending, Emily Bennett said that Bourke-Connell had not offended since 2000 and that his early guilty pleas were evidence of him taking responsibility. She added that while in custody, he had begun receiving help for his mental health and had completed courses to assist with rehabilitation.

Judge Catherine Richards imposed a sentence of 18 months imprisonment and granted a restraining order, banning him from contacting his son for the next three years.

The prosecution offered no evidence on several remaining charges, and not guilty verdicts were recorded.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

9 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

9 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.