Crime
Pembroke Dock man jailed for Milford Haven vehicle crime spree
A MAN from Pembroke Dock has been jailed after admitting to a string of thefts and criminal damage offences committed in a single day in the Hakin area of Milford Haven.
Multiple victims targeted in daylight thefts
Matthew Adams, aged 34, of no fixed abode, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Sept 11) to be sentenced for eight separate offences committed on August 22, 2025.
Adams pleaded guilty to all charges at an earlier hearing. The court heard that he broke into multiple vehicles along John Lewis Street, Haven Drive, and Hakin Drive, stealing cash, personal belongings and damaging property in what the Crown described as a “persistent and targeted spree.”
Among the items stolen were:
- A wallet with £50 and a driving licence belonging to David Bull
- A purse containing £210, an Apple AirPods case, and a bank card belonging to Sommer Griffiths
- A passport belonging to Sommer Griffiths, in the name of her child, from the same vehicle
- Circa £80 in cash and a watch belonging to Leah Rees
- Clothing items worth approximately £500 from a Kia Rio owned by Martin Horst
- Sweets and drinks from a vehicle owned by Daniel Thomas
- Cash, Chanel sunglasses, Zopiclone tablets, and a yellow ring belonging to Jennifer Reynolds
- He also damaged the windscreen of a Skoda Fabia (VRN CU66 RDO)
Adams was additionally convicted of vehicle interference after attempting to tamper with a VW Caddy (VRN SW59 BVP) on Haven Drive.
Jail sentence handed down
District Judge M Layton sentenced Adams to 16 weeks in prison, citing the seriousness of the offences, his previous convictions, and the impact on multiple victims. All sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
The court ordered compensation payments to be made to several victims, totalling £995, and imposed a £154 victim surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs, to be paid upon Adams’ release by January 1, 2026.
No reduction in sentence was made despite Adams entering guilty pleas, as the court concluded that only a custodial sentence was appropriate due to the scale of the offending and the harm caused.
The case was prosecuted by Simone Walsh on behalf of CPS Wales (South West).
Crime
70-year-old denies assault and restraining order breach
A PENSIONER from Pembroke Dock has denied breaching a restraining order and assaulting another man.
Henry Howlett, 70, of Market Street, appeared before Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, May 1), charged with breaching a restraining order and common assault.
The charges relate to an alleged incident on November 9 last year.
Howlett has previously appeared before magistrates in connection with a separate alleged incident involving a neighbour.
Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court previously heard that a dispute arose on July 17 after neighbour Steven Bromhall was washing his car outside his home in Market Street.
Prosecutor Nia James told the court that, as a taxi arrived to collect Howlett, the driver opened the window while passing and Mr Bromhall inadvertently sprayed the taxi driver with water from a hosepipe.
“The taxi driver started remonstrating, and the defendant then began waving his walking stick in the air, towards Mr Bromhall,” she said.
The court heard Mr Bromhall sustained an injury to his back, although it remained unclear whether he had been struck by Howlett’s stick.
Howlett pleaded not guilty to common assault in relation to that incident and was released on unconditional bail. A trial date was set at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.
At Swansea Crown Court today, His Honour Judge P H Thomas KC asked Howlett whether he was legally represented.
“I can’t find anyone decent, I’m still searching, my lord,” Howlett replied.
When the court attempted to take his pleas, Howlett repeatedly interrupted in an effort to give an explanation, prompting the judge to tell him: “Be quiet, Mr Howlett.”
Howlett then pleaded not guilty to the charges, telling the court: “Definitely not guilty.”
As he left the courtroom, Howlett said: “I will get the truth out and I hope you all hang your heads in shame… this is all fixed.”
A trial date was set for January 14, 2027.
Crime
Crymych parent denies failing to comply with school attendance order
A CRYMYCH parent has denied failing to comply with a school attendance order, a court has heard.
The defendant appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged under the Education Act 1996.
The court heard that the defendant is accused of failing, as a parent, to ensure that a child attended school in accordance with the requirements of a School Attendance Order.
It is alleged that after being served with the order, the defendant did not comply within the required 15-day period.
A plea of not guilty was entered.
Magistrates adjourned the case for a case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 14.
A reporting restriction remains in force.
Crime
Cockle fisherman fined £3,450 for multiple breaches at protected site
A GOODWICK man has been ordered to pay £3,450 after breaching fishing regulations at a protected cockle fishery.
Richard William Edwards, 45, of Goodwick, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged with a series of offences at the Burry Inlet cockle fishery.
The court heard that Edwards had fished for cockles without a valid permit and breached conditions imposed under fisheries management rules. He was also found to have used an unauthorised vehicle in the fishery area, contrary to restrictions in place to protect the site.
Magistrates were told the offences took place on September 9, 2025, within the Burry Inlet Cockle Fishery, a designated and regulated area subject to strict controls.
Edwards was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a victim services surcharge of £800, along with costs of £650, bringing the total to £3,450. A collection order was made.
The case was brought under fisheries legislation including the Cockle Fisheries Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024.
The court heard that Edwards had been in breach of a prohibition imposed by the permitting system and had failed to comply with the terms of his permit.
The offences are part of ongoing enforcement efforts to protect the sustainability of cockle stocks and ensure compliance within the fishery.
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