Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Crime

Milford Haven man sentenced for campaign of domestic abuse

Published

on

A MILFORD HAVEN man who admitted a series of domestic abuse offences has been spared immediate prison but handed a suspended sentence and strict conditions.

Bradley Davies, 28, of Pill Road, appeared at Swansea Crown Court where he was sentenced for intentional strangulation, assault by beating, and coercive and controlling behaviour against a woman in Neyland and Milford Haven.

Davies had admitted the charges last month, shortly before his trial was due to begin. The offences took place between May and December 2024 and included repeated assaults, threats and coercion.

The court heard how Davies subjected the woman to a seven-month campaign of intimidation and violence, which included strangling her and threatening further harm.

Judge imposed a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, meaning Davies will not serve time in custody if he abides by strict conditions. These include:

  • Wearing a GPS tag for six months
  • Completing 15 days of rehabilitation focused on alcohol misuse
  • Undertaking 25 days on a domestic abuse behaviour change programme

In addition, a five-year restraining order was made to protect the victim.

The suspended term means Davies could face immediate imprisonment if he breaches the order or fails to comply with the requirements.

The Herald is not naming the victim at her request.

 

Crime

Two arrested after high-value shoplifting incident in Kilgetty

Published

on

TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of shoplifting following a rapid police response to a reported high-value theft at a supermarket in Kilgetty.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called to the Co-op store at around 3.35pm on Wednesday (Jan 28), after a report that a large quantity of alcohol and other items had been stolen.

Using information provided by the caller, Roads Policing Unit officers worked closely with control room staff to identify a vehicle believed to be involved. Several patrol cars were deployed, and the vehicle was located a short time later travelling east.

Police said the safety of all those involved was treated as a priority, with specialist Tactical Pursuit and Containment (TPAC) advice obtained while officers maintained constant observation of the vehicle.

The car was brought to a safe stop on a back road approaching Hendy, involving three Roads Policing Unit vehicles. No injuries or damage were reported.

Following roadside checks, two men — aged 67 and 46 — were arrested on suspicion of theft from a shop.

Both remain in police custody while enquiries continue.

Police said the swift response helped prevent further offending and demonstrated the effectiveness of specialist roads policing officers acting on real-time intelligence.

 

Continue Reading

Business

Eight-year prison sentence after vehicle stop uncovers drugs worth over £150,000

Published

on

A ROUTINE vehicle stop by roads policing officers has led to an eight-year prison sentence after more than £150,000 worth of illegal drugs were discovered in a car in Pembrokeshire.

On Friday, January 2, officers from the Roads Policing Unit stopped a grey Seat Ateca on Hoyland Road, Pembroke. The vehicle was being driven by 43-year-old Dean Evans.

During the stop, Evans told officers they would find “stuff” in the car. He and the vehicle were subsequently searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

A search of the boot uncovered a cardboard box containing a one-kilogram block of cocaine and ten half-kilogram packages of herbal cannabis. The street value of the drugs was estimated to be well in excess of £150,000.

Evans was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs. He was later charged with possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs.

The 43-year-old pleaded guilty at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, January 3.

On Thursday, January 28, Evans was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to eight years’ imprisonment for possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

DC Jones, from Dyfed-Powys Police’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “Tackling the supply of illegal drugs is a priority for Dyfed-Powys Police, and the misery that illegal drugs bring to local communities will not be tolerated.

“We welcome the sentence passed to Dean Evans, given the large quantity of harmful drugs he was caught trafficking into Pembrokeshire.

“This sentence should serve as a stark warning to anyone tempted to become involved in the illegal drugs trade in Dyfed and Powys.”

 

Continue Reading

Crime

Former soldier jailed for stalking police officer over past arrest

Published

on

Defendant tracked down officer’s home address and sent threatening messages

A FORMER serviceman has been sent to prison after tracking down and harassing a police officer who had arrested him two years earlier.

Gareth Nicholas, aged 41, from Waunarlwydd in Swansea, targeted the officer by discovering his home address and sending a threatening message via Facebook, Swansea Crown Court heard.

The officer had been part of a police team that executed a Scottish arrest warrant at Nicholas’s home in May 2023. Two years later, in August 2025, the officer received an unexpected friend request on social media, followed shortly afterwards by a message that immediately caused concern.

The message began with the words “I found you” and accused the officer of unlawfully entering Nicholas’s property, assaulting him while he was in his underwear, and “abducting” him. Nicholas also claimed he had identified a pattern of corrupt behaviour within the police and issued a veiled threat, stating: “I will catch you down the Liberty son. Look forward to it,” a reference to Swansea City’s former stadium.

The situation escalated further days later when a handwritten letter was delivered to the officer’s former address. The new occupant contacted the officer to alert him to the letter, which repeated allegations of corruption and suggested the matter could be dropped if the officer assisted in exposing alleged police misconduct.

Nicholas was arrested on September 3 and admitted sending the communications, but denied at the time that his actions amounted to stalking.

In evidence, the officer told the court that while he had faced verbal abuse during his policing career, this incident felt different and deeply personal. He said his family installed CCTV cameras, security lighting and fencing, and put safety plans in place for their children. He added that he feared Nicholas had not let go of his perceived injustice and remained concerned the behaviour could continue.

The court heard Nicholas has a substantial criminal record in Scotland between 2019 and 2024, including convictions for stalking, malicious communications, threatening behaviour, domestic abuse offences and possession of ammunition without a licence.

Sentencing Nicholas, Judge Huw Rees acknowledged the trauma the defendant had experienced during military service, but warned him not to repeat the behaviour.

Nicholas, who appeared unrepresented, pleaded guilty to stalking and was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison, reduced by 20 per cent for his early guilty plea. Having already served time on remand, his release is expected shortly. He was also made subject to a five-year restraining order banning any contact with the officer.

 

Continue Reading

Health5 hours ago

Consultation reveals lack of public trust in health board

EARLIER this week, Hywel Dda UHB published the results of a consultation into the future configuration of its clinical services....

Community6 hours ago

Specialist team searches River Teifi in ongoing hunt for missing man

A SPECIALIST search team has carried out a renewed and highly technical search of the River Teifi in Cardigan as...

News1 day ago

Wales’ first minister keeps distance from Starmer before May vote

Senedd race not Westminster THE FIRST MINISTER has moved to draw a clear dividing line between the Welsh Labour campaign...

News1 day ago

Kurtz raises Gumfreston flooding in the Senedd as petition deadline nears

LOCAL Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz has raised the long-running flooding problems affecting the B4318 at Gumfreston in the Senedd, as...

Community2 days ago

Anchor re-dedicated to mark 30 years of US–Haverfordwest ties

Service honours shared history, service and friendship on the Quayside A SYMBOL of Haverfordwest’s wartime and Cold War connections with...

Business2 days ago

Senedd urged to act as Welsh pubs fall further behind England on business rates

Industry leaders warn of closures and job losses as pressure mounts on ministers to pass on funding PUBS across Wales...

Crime2 days ago

Haverfordwest man jailed for online death threat

A Haverfordwest man has been sentenced to a year in prison after sending a threatening message online. Michael Carruthers, 34,...

Community2 days ago

Storm Chandra: Morning impacts across Pembrokeshire

HEAVY overnight rain and strong winds brought by Storm Chandra have caused disruption across Pembrokeshire, with fallen trees and localised...

Business3 days ago

Business voices heard as Kurtz and Davies urge action on business rates

LOCAL businesses from across West Wales have voiced serious concerns about the impact of business rates at a dedicated roundtable...

Crime3 days ago

Milford Haven man appears in court charged with burglary and GBH

Bail granted with tagged curfew and ban from Pembrokeshire A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared in court charged with burglary...

Popular This Week