Crime
Carmarthenshire man sent to Crown Court over sexual assault charge
A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has appeared before magistrates charged with sexually assaulting a woman earlier this year.
John Brennan, aged 55, of Dyffryn Road, Ammanford, is accused of intentionally sexually touching a woman in Ammanford on 22 March 2025, without her consent.
The charge is brought under Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which covers non-consensual sexual touching.
During the first hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (September 11), was alleged the defendant did not have a reasonable belief that the woman was consenting at the time of the incident.
The court granted Brennan conditional bail with strict terms. He must not enter the area of Brynamman and must not contact the victim either directly or indirectly.
Due to the seriousness of the allegation, the matter was sent to Swansea Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing scheduled to take place at 9:00am on Monday, 13 October 2025.
Brennan did not enter a plea during the hearing before District Judge M Layton. No pre-sentence report was ordered, and no victim personal statement has yet been submitted.
The identity of the complainant is protected by law under Section 1 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992.
Crime
Drink-driver ran red light and narrowly missed another motorist
A DRINK-driver was seen running a red light, swerving between lanes and narrowly missing another vehicle while being followed by police, a court has heard.
Reuben Kirkman, aged 26, was stopped by officers after being seen driving a Vauxhall Corsa along Iscoed Road, Hendy, on the night of June 21, 2025.
“He was stopped by officers as a result of his standard of driving,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told District Judge Mark Layton, sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.
“He had a near miss with another vehicle, he had no lights on, he drove through a red light and he was seen swerving between lanes.”
Subsequent blood tests showed Kirkman had 147 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80.
His solicitor, Peter Harper, told the court the offence occurred after Kirkman had spent the day with his football team.
“They ended up in the pub and he consumed some alcohol,” he said. “He planned to leave his vehicle there but failed to find a taxi.
“So he sat in his car for around 30 minutes, drank some water and made the stupid mistake of driving home.”
The court was told Kirkman, of Castle Buildings, Castle Street, Swansea, is a sport science and nutritional science graduate and is currently employed in food supply at Wetherspoons.
After pleading guilty to drink-driving, Kirkman was disqualified from driving for 17 months and fined £430. He was also ordered to pay a £172 court surcharge and £85 in costs.
Crime
Pembroke Dock woman fined after drunken abuse in town centre shop
A PEMBROKE DOCK woman has been fined after hurling drunken abuse at shoppers when she entered a town centre store in a highly intoxicated state, a court has heard.
Karen Rees, aged 52, entered a store in Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, just after 10.00am on January 6.
“She was heavily intoxicated, shouting and swearing and pushing cans off the counter,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told District Judge Mark Layton, sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.
“But she was also having difficulty getting her words out as a result of the level of her intoxication.”
Rees, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in a public place.
She was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £32 surcharge.
Crime
Haverfordwest man fined after struggling with police officer
A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sentenced after launching into a struggle with a police officer while resisting arrest, a court has heard.
Malcolm Mathias, aged 40, took issue with PC Goymer when officers attended his address at Scotchwell View, Haverfordwest, on January 3 to investigate an unrelated matter.
“When officers attended his home address, Mathias took issue with the fact he was going to be arrested,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told District Judge Mark Layton, sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.
“He tensed his arms, which resulted in a struggle, and continued to resist his arrest.”
As a result of the altercation, PC Goymer sustained an injury to his right knee and damage to his trousers.
Mathias pleaded guilty to obstructing and resisting a constable in the execution of his duty, as well as a further charge of refusing to provide a sample for a Class A drug test following his arrest.
He was fined £160 and ordered to pay £75 compensation to the officer. He must also pay £85 in court costs and a £64 surcharge.
-
Community6 days agoCPRW welcomes long-awaited grid report and calls for more transparency
-
Health6 days agoHywel Dda board to consider refreshed health strategy to 2040
-
Health4 days agoHealth Board to decide on future model for nine clinical services
-
Crime6 days agoHaven Master spared jail after River Cleddau kayak crash
-
News6 days agoMilford Haven School placed in special measures after Estyn inspection
-
Health6 days agoWithybush staff fear crèche fee rise will price parents out
-
Local Government7 days agoQuestions raised over horse riding licence fees ahead of scrutiny meeting
-
Business5 days agoNew planning rules could block Welsh pubs from running pop up campsites






