Crime

Snapchat friend request lands Kilgetty man in court

Published

12 months ago

June 24, 2025

Restraining order breach after 3:00am mistake

A SNAPCHAT friend request sent in the early hours of the morning has landed a Kilgetty man back before the courts after he breached a restraining order imposed for a previous assault.

Nigel Hooper, of Mountain Farm, Kilgetty, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week after admitting the breach, which occurred at around 3:00am on June 19.

The court heard that Hooper, who was scrolling through Snapchat, noticed a friend suggestion from a user named ‘Tattoedpolar84’ and decided to add them. However, he did not realise the account belonged to the woman he was prohibited from contacting under a restraining order issued by Swansea Crown Court in September 2024, following a conviction for actual bodily harm.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan said: “The lady accessed her Snapchat, which she doesn’t use very often, and saw a friend request from her ex-partner. It was a clear attempt to contact her, and it was unwanted and distressing. She feels the defendant is getting bolder in his attempts to reach her.”

Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher told the court that Hooper had acted recklessly.

“He was awake at 3:00am and saw around seven suggested friends on Snapchat, one of which was ‘Tattoedpolar84’. He recognised afterwards that the ‘84’ was a number his ex-partner used to include in usernames, and realised his mistake,” said Mr Kelleher. “He then contacted the police himself to report what he had done.”

Hooper pleaded guilty to breaching the restraining order and was remanded in custody until his appearance in court.

“He’s deeply sorry that this has happened and wants absolutely nothing to do with this lady in the future,” added Mr Kelleher. “He’s doing his best to avoid her.”

Magistrates fined Hooper £80 and ordered him to pay £85 in court costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

7 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

8 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.