A NEYLAND pensioner who continued to play loud music despite numerous warnings has been fined after being convicted of breaching a Community Protection Notice.

Complaints had been made about Beryl John, of Gothic Road, with neighbours reporting persistent noise nuisance. Pembrokeshire County Council officers gathered evidence using the NoiseApp system, which demonstrated that the noise was causing a detriment to nearby residents. This led to a Community Protection Warning (CPW) being issued.

However, the behaviour continued. The council said John also behaved abusively towards council officers and Dyfed-Powys Police, resulting in the warning being escalated to a formal Community Protection Notice (CPN).

Despite the notice, John failed to comply, and the council brought proceedings before the court.

John did not attend Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Feb 5) and was convicted in her absence.

Magistrates imposed a £1,000 fine, along with a £400 victim surcharge and £1,000 prosecution costs.

The court heard that if the anti-social behaviour continues, the council may return to court to seek a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), breaches of which can result in community penalties or even imprisonment.

Cllr Jacob Williams, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory Services, said: “The council works with partners such as Dyfed-Powys Police and housing associations to tackle anti-social behaviour like this, which so greatly affects the quality of residents’ lives.

“As with all cases of this nature, it is a shame that things had to come before the court, but the defendant had many opportunities to avoid matters escalating simply by improving their conduct, and hopefully that will now happen.”

Trial date set for July following Crown Court appearance

A MERLINS BRIDGE man has denied six charges of sexually assaulting children following a hearing at Swansea Crown Court.

Dion Lewtas, aged 29, of St Marks Close, appeared before the court on Monday (Feb 23), where he pleaded not guilty to six offences of sexual assault of girls aged under thirteen.

The charges relate to alleged incidents in Milford Haven between August 2021 and August 2023.

The girls were aged between nine and eleven years old, the prosecution alleges.

Lewtas had previously appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on January 20, when the case was sent to Swansea Crown Court.

He was released on bail. A trial date has been set for July 17.

A MAN from Haverfordwest has been convicted of raping his sister when she was under the age of 16.

The offences took place between 31 July and 7 August 1988 at Castle Lake Car Park in the town, when the defendant was in his 20’s.

Following a trial at Swansea Crown Court, the man was found guilty on two counts: rape of a female under 16 and indecent assault on a girl under 16, both contrary to the Sexual Offences Act 1956.

The jury returned the verdicts after hearing evidence over several days, including the complainant’s account of the incident which happened nearly 38 years ago.

The case was reported to police in December 2023.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons to protect the identity of the complainant, will be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Monday, 23 March 2026.

This conviction highlights that reports of historic sexual offences continue to be thoroughly investigated and brought before the courts, no matter how much time has passed.

After the case the complainant said: “The day that I thought would never happen happened, something that I have carried with me for nearly 40 years has finally been heard.

“I seriously; can not explain how I feel right now, but a very heavy weight has finally been lifted.”

Anyone who has been affected by sexual abuse can contact the police on 101 or seek support through specialist services such as Rape Crisis or Victim Support.