Crime

Pregnant woman strangled by ex after refusing to drop complaint

Published

9 months ago

May 30, 2025

Evans jailed for 28 months following terrifying incident in Pembroke

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been jailed after he forced his way into his pregnant ex-partner’s home and strangled her when she refused to withdraw a police complaint.

LEIGHTON EVANS, aged 30, of London Road, had been banned from contacting the woman following allegations of assault. Despite this, on the evening of November 8 last year, he appeared in her garden and climbed through a window into her home in Pembroke.

The victim, who was 30 weeks pregnant at the time, found Evans sitting on her sofa rolling a cigarette. Prosecutor Georgia Donohue told the court that he began accusing her of “ruining his life” and demanded she retract the complaint she had made to police.

When the woman refused, Evans attempted to leave undetected by avoiding her doorbell camera. However, he began arguing with her again at the side of the house.

Ms Donohue said Evans made threatening remarks, including telling her she would “lose her baby”. When she tried to push him away, Evans grabbed her by the throat with both hands. She managed to fight him off and he fled.

The woman immediately contacted friends, who in turn called the police.

Evans initially told officers he had been at home all evening and claimed CCTV would support his story. When asked about a red mark on his neck, he said it was from shaving. However, during transport to the station, he admitted being at the woman’s home but alleged she had attacked him.

The court heard the woman now feels vulnerable and fearful when people knock at her door. “I just want to feel safe,” she said.

Evans had previously been convicted at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on February 3 for battery and criminal damage, relating to a separate incident last October where he threw a fork at the victim, punched her, and smashed her phone. He was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison for those offences.

Initially denying the charges of intentional strangulation and witness intimidation, Evans changed his plea to guilty on the day of trial in relation to the strangulation.

Defending, Emily Bennett said Evans had found his first time in custody “sobering and distressing” and accepted the relationship was over. “He knows he must leave her alone,” she said.

Judge Catherine Richards sentenced Evans to 28 months in prison. A three-year restraining order was imposed to protect the victim.

Crime

OAP admits stalking woman with emails, posters and letters

Published

11 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAVERFORDWEST man has admitted stalking a woman by sending repeated unwanted emails, putting up posters and contacting third parties about her.

Michael Lockheart, aged 80, of Daisy Lane, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty to stalking.

The court heard that between July 27 and September 10 last year, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking and harassment against a female.

His behaviour included sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop contact, distributing defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to her GP and the local authority.

Lockheart admitted the offence, contrary to Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Sentencing was adjourned to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

He was granted conditional bail with strict restrictions. He must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly, including through third parties or social media, and must not enter any address where she lives.

Lockheart is due back before magistrates for sentence at 10:00am on Monday, March 9.

Crime

Pensioner back in court over persistent nuisance calls

Published

11 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A TEMPLETON pensioner has appeared before magistrates again after admitting repeatedly using the phone network to cause distress and inconvenience.

Ann Gateley, aged 79, of Chapel Hill Lane, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having already pleaded guilty to a communications offence.

The court heard that between November 24 and November 26 last year, at Templeton near Narberth, Gateley persistently made use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person.

She admitted the offence, contrary to Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing to a later date and granted conditional bail.

As part of her bail conditions, Gateley must not contact 999 unless there is a genuine emergency.

Gateley is well known to the courts and has appeared on numerous occasions over recent years for similar communications-related matters.

She will return to the magistrates’ court at 10:00am on Tuesday, February 17 for sentencing.

Crime

Man sent to Crown Court over heroin supply and £5,500 cash

Published

11 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A MAN with no fixed address has been remanded in custody accused of possessing heroin with intent to supply and holding thousands of pounds in suspected criminal cash.

Kieren Jones, aged 28, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9).

He is charged with possessing diamorphine, a Class A drug, with intent to supply it to two unknown persons in Carmarthen on Friday (Feb 7), contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Jones also faces a further allegation under the Proceeds of Crime Act that he acquired, used or possessed criminal property, namely £5,500 in cash, on the same date.

No pleas were entered at the hearing.

Because of the seriousness of the offences, magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to the Crown Court.

Bail was refused on the grounds that Jones was likely to offend, interfere with witnesses and fail to surrender to custody.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Swansea Crown Court, The Law Courts, St Helens Road, Swansea, for a plea and trial preparation hearing at 9:00am on Friday, March 13.

The custody time limit expires on August 10.