Crime

Man threatened partner with pitchfork before headbutting her in public

Published

1 year ago

June 10, 2025

A PEMBROKESHIRE man who headbutted his partner and threatened her with a garden pitchfork in full view of neighbours has avoided an immediate jail sentence.

Footage shown to magistrates captured the moment Paul Evans, 39, assaulted Rachel Palmer outside their shared home on Fernhill Road, Merlins Bridge, at around 5:00pm on Sunday (June 8).

The video, filmed by a concerned neighbour, showed Evans grabbing Ms Palmer by the neck and forcing her to the ground. He then picked up a garden fork and waved it at her before dropping it. Moments later, he hurled a blue suitcase—believed to belong to Ms Palmer—towards an upstairs window.

Evans could then be seen headbutting his partner before again forcing her to the ground with considerable force. He later ran towards her wielding a large plank of wood.

“All this was witnessed by members of the public who were understandably very concerned for the victim’s welfare,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. “It was distressing for everyone who saw it, including the person who submitted the footage.”

Probation officer Catrin Jones told the court the couple had been together for around 15 years, but their relationship had recently deteriorated due to drug misuse.

“The relationship had been good, but it’s recently deteriorated,” she said. “An argument had started earlier that day and the defendant wanted her to leave the property. He never intended to use weapons to cause harm.”

The court heard Evans had taken cocaine that day and consumed alcohol the previous night. He has been using cocaine daily for several years, having developed an addiction around the age of 30. He also uses amphetamines and ecstasy.

“Despite what happened, the defendant loves his partner to bits,” said Ms Jones. “It’s fair to say he’s self-medicating with drugs, and needs support to manage this in a pro-social way.”

Evans, who works as an occasional handyman, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was represented by solicitor Alaw Harries.

“The drug misuse has caused tension with the victim and things have been a challenge for them,” said Ms Harries. “He deeply regrets his actions and acknowledges that his drug use is at the heart of the problem.”

Magistrates sentenced Evans to 24 weeks in custody, suspended for 18 months.

“Because it was committed in public and involved domestic violence, the charge has crossed the custody threshold,” said presiding magistrate Mary Smith.

Evans must also complete a nine-month drug rehabilitation programme, 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and 250 hours of unpaid work. No compensation order was made after the Crown confirmed Ms Palmer had not supported the prosecution.

He was also ordered to pay £154 in court surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

13 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

13 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.