Crime

Milford Haven man jailed for abusing partner in six-month campaign of fear

Published

1 year ago

June 18, 2025

A MILFORD HAVEN man who subjected his partner to a sustained campaign of abuse has been jailed for three years.

Nathan Clark, aged 31, appeared at Swansea Crown Court, where he was sentenced following convictions for coercive and controlling behaviour, assault, strangulation, and threats to share intimate images.

The court heard that Clark began a relationship with the woman at the start of 2024, but by the middle of the year, it had turned violent and controlling.

Prosecutor James Hartson told the court Clark’s actions were designed to instil fear and exert control over his partner. Between December 3 and January 2, he repeatedly assaulted her, strangled her, and threatened to distribute private images.

Clark, of Larch Road, denied all charges except for two counts of criminal damage—one involving his partner’s phone on Christmas Day, and another involving a door at her property on New Year’s Eve. A jury found him guilty of all other offences on June 12.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the woman said: “I genuinely thought he was going to kill me. Now I’m just a shadow of myself. I don’t know how I’m going to move forward.”

During the trial, Clark attempted to portray himself as the victim in the relationship, claiming he had been subjected to violence and coercion. Judge Paul Thomas KC rejected that account, telling Clark: “Unfortunately for you, the jury saw through your obvious lies.”

The court also heard that Clark had previous convictions for violence against women. In mitigation, his barrister said he had experienced a mental health crisis following family bereavements and had turned to drink and drugs. However, Judge Thomas said Clark continued to pose a danger.

“I consider you to represent a continuing risk to any woman unfortunate enough to be in a relationship with you,” the judge said.

Clark was sentenced to three years in custody and made subject to a restraining order lasting 10 years.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

19 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

20 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.