Crime

Five accused of knocking woman unconscious after funeral gathering

Published

12 months ago

July 1, 2025

Incident took place outside Castle Inn, Pembroke

FIVE Pembrokeshire residents have appeared before magistrates jointly accused of assaulting a woman and knocking her unconscious following a funeral in Pembroke town centre.

Samantha Birch, 49, Emma Birch, 27, Chloe Birch, 26, Daisy Bianchy, 36, and Sam James, 25, are all charged with assaulting Tonicha Jones during an incident alleged to have taken place outside the Castle Inn on July 6, 2024.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Ms Jones had attended the Castle Inn after a funeral earlier that day.

“The victim accidentally knocked over a drink that had been placed on another table, and all five defendants were angry with her,” said Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker. “She went outside and was assaulted by all five defendants.”

***The Castle Inn, Pembroke (Pic: Geograph)***

The Crown alleges Ms Jones was knocked unconscious during the assault and sustained bruising, lacerations, and cuts.

At the July 1 hearing, the bench – made up of Mr J Ross, Dr R Williams and Mrs J Morris – was told that two of the defendants admitted their part. Emma Birch and Chloe Birch both indicated guilty pleas and were committed to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

The remaining three – Bianchy, Samantha Birch and James – did not indicate pleas. Their cases were sent to Swansea Crown Court for trial. All three were granted unconditional bail.

Prosecutor Linda Baker said the Crown would be proceeding on the basis that the incident involved a joint assault. Defending the group were solicitors Tom Lloyd, Alaw Harries and Mike Kelleher.

The case will next be heard at Swansea Crown Court on August 1, 2025, when a plea and trial preparation hearing will take place for those contesting the charge.

After reviewing CCTV footage of the alleged incident, magistrates declined jurisdiction and committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for trial on August 1.

All five defendants were granted unconditional bail.

This article has been amended to correct the pleas of the defendants which was mixed up but our publication we apologise for any distress caused.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

11 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

11 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.