Crime

Pembrokeshire man stubbed cigarette on woman’s face during assault

Published

10 months ago

August 27, 2025

Court hears catalogue of violence despite restraining order

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has appeared before magistrates after admitting stubbing out a cigarette on a woman’s face and subjecting her to hours of violence.

Michael Simms, 43, carried out the assault at a property in West Court, Haverfordwest, on Sunday, August 24.

“He turned up at the property and was asked to leave, but a short while later he returned with cigarettes and alcohol,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He barged in, and the woman took one of the cigarettes from the packet but the defendant took it off her and stubbed it out on the side of her cheek.”

The court heard that over the next five hours the woman was repeatedly punched and slapped by Simms.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, she said: “He put his hands on me so many times I realised I just had to get away.”

The offences happened just days after Llanelli magistrates imposed a domestic violence protection order (DVPO) on August 14, following an earlier conviction against the same victim.

A Dyfed-Powys Police representative told the court: “He’s made little effort to respect the court’s authority. He contacted her, intimidated her and harassed her despite the DVPO. He wouldn’t leave her alone. He entered her property more than once, including when he was being seen by the police.”

The court was told this was the seventh domestic violence incident between the couple in just seven weeks, three of which were classed as high risk.

“This is a very toxic situation,” police said. “The custody threshold has been passed.”

Simms, of Barn Court, Haverfordwest, admitted breaching the DVPO, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, stalking, and three counts of assault by beating on August 24.

His solicitor, Jess Hill, told the court: “He is remorseful for his actions and is sorry for the injury caused to the victim. He knows he is in a toxic relationship with her, but he has been the injured party on multiple occasions.”

Magistrates sentenced Simms to two months in custody for breaching the protection order and ordered him to pay £284 costs to Dyfed-Powys Police.

He will be sentenced for the remaining offences by a judge at Swansea Crown Court on September 16.

Crime

Drug trafficker must repay £33,000 after court rules he made nearly £500,000

Published

11 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE drug trafficker jailed after a major cocaine and cannabis seizure has been ordered to repay more than £33,000.

Dean Evans, 44, returned to Swansea Crown Court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing after prosecutors sought to recover money made through his offending.

The court heard it had been agreed that Evans benefited from criminal conduct by £496,533.94. However, his available assets were calculated at £33,337.37.

Judge Catherine Richards made a confiscation order for that amount and gave Evans three months to pay. If he fails to do so, he faces a further year in prison.

Evans, of St Clements Park, Freystrop, is already serving an eight-year sentence after admitting possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

He was caught after Dyfed-Powys Police’s Roads Policing Unit stopped his Seat Ateca on Holyland Road, Pembroke, at around 10:25am on January 2.

Officers searched the vehicle after Evans admitted they would find “stuff” inside.

They discovered around one kilogram of cocaine in a cardboard box in the boot, together with 5.4 kilograms of cannabis in a black bin bag. The cannabis had been split into ten vacuum-sealed bags.

Swansea Crown Court was previously told the drugs had a combined potential street value of up to £185,000, made up of around £125,000 of cocaine and cannabis worth up to £60,000.

A mobile phone seized from Evans revealed what prosecutors described as a “dealer’s list”, with dozens of names and sums believed to be owed. Messages also showed Evans directing dealers below him in the supply chain.

At the original sentencing hearing, the court was told Evans had 23 previous convictions for 62 offences, including rape and robbery. His previous drug matters had related only to possession.

Sarah John, mitigating, said he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had stayed out of trouble for a “fairly lengthy period”, with his last conviction in 2016.

Jailing Evans for eight years, Judge Paul Thomas KC said: “You are clearly a man with few criminal boundaries.

“You ensnared users and low-level drug dealers into debt, dragging them into a vicious circle of criminality.”

After sentencing, DC Phill Jones, of Pembrokeshire’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said illegal drugs brought misery to local communities and would not be tolerated.

He said: “This sentence should serve as a stark warning to any others who are tempted into the illegal drugs trade. You will get caught and you will go to prison.”

Photo caption: Drugs seized:

Dean Evans was caught with cocaine and cannabis worth up to £185,000 in his car (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police).

Crime

Man wanted by court after failing to attend hearing over alleged shop thefts

Published

12 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Court Reporter

A MAN is wanted by the courts after failing to attend a hearing relating to a series of alleged shop thefts in Pembrokeshire.

Jack Morgan, of Pembroke, was due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16) but failed to attend.

The court heard that Morgan faces several allegations of shop theft from businesses in Pembrokeshire.

The charges include the alleged theft of vodka from the Co-op in Pembroke Dock, along with food and drink items including sausages, crisps and Dragon Soop from The Green Garage.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place on various dates earlier this year.

After Morgan failed to attend court, magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest without bail.

He will now be brought before the court once located by police.

Court officials heard that the matters remain before the court and no pleas have yet been entered.

Crime

Shop theft admitted after alcohol stolen from Haverfordwest store

Published

12 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Court Reporter

A WOMAN has admitted shoplifting alcohol from a Haverfordwest store.

Esme Hoyle appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16) charged with theft from a shop.

The court heard that Hoyle stole alcohol worth £17 from B&M in Haverfordwest on Sunday, April 6.

Hoyle pleaded guilty to the offence.

Magistrates sentenced Hoyle following her guilty plea and imposed financial penalties, including prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.

The court was told the offence related to a low-value retail theft from the town centre store.

Retail theft continues to place pressure on local businesses across Pembrokeshire, with stores increasingly reporting repeated incidents of shoplifting.