Crime

Jealous partner set fire to home after nightclub assault

Published

7 months ago

October 7, 2025

A COURT has heard how a Milford Haven woman said she would rather have been “beaten black and blue” than have her home set on fire by her jealous partner.

In a victim impact statement read to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Candice Evans described Christopher Barrett’s actions as “the worst thing I have ever experienced in my life.”

“This was the worst thing he could have done to me,” she said. “I’d rather have been beaten black and blue than have him do this. My home is everything to me, but he destroyed my safe haven.”

The court heard that Barrett and Ms Evans had gone out for a meal before visiting a nightclub in Milford Haven on the night of September 12. When Barrett saw his girlfriend socialising with another man, he became jealous.

“He punched her in the stomach, causing her to double over,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan. “She then hit him back as she was so angry at being assaulted by him in front of other people.”

Ms Evans later told police she was fearful of returning home but was reassured Barrett had been arrested. However, six days later she discovered her kitchen table, blackened by fire, outside her front door.

“I was shocked, as this certainly wasn’t what I was expecting,” she said.

The blaze caused damage to the kitchen ceiling, floor and sofa, along with a number of unopened parcels.

At the time, Barrett was already subject to a two-year community order for assaulting two emergency workers.

Barrett, 54, pleaded guilty to arson and assault by beating. He appeared before magistrates via video link from Swansea Prison, where he has been on remand since last month.

Defending, Michael Kelleher said the incident followed “the worst six months of his life.”

“He was laid off from work, he left his wife, and then he met Ms Evans, who is 20 years younger than him,” he said. “When he saw her with another man, he overreacted. He knows this was his own fault and his life has now fallen apart.”

Mr Kelleher told the court that Barrett had been drinking at Ms Evans’s home on October 18 and accidentally started the fire.

“He lit a cigarette and left it on the table next to some laundry,” he said. “When he realised what he’d done, he went to put it out. When police arrived, he was outside holding the table. There was little or no planning.”

Barrett has been remanded in custody since the offence and is currently on the rehabilitation wing at Swansea Prison.

He was sentenced to 36 weeks in custody and ordered to pay £400 compensation to Ms Evans, along with £187 surcharge and £85 costs. A two-year restraining order was also imposed, prohibiting any contact with the victim.

Crime

Man appears in court charged over death of Blood Bike Wales volunteer

Published

10 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

FAMILY WATCHED FROM PUBLIC GALLERY AS CASE SENT TO CROWN COURT

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has appeared before magistrates charged with causing the death of Blood Bike Wales volunteer Tim Minett by dangerous driving.

Mr Minett was riding a Blood Bike Wales Honda motorcycle on the afternoon of July 2, 2025, when it was involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Crafter van on the A478 between Glandycross and Blaenffos.

He had been transporting blood supplies for the NHS at the time.

This week the van’s driver, Roger King, 57, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with causing Mr Minett’s death by dangerous driving.

King stood in the dock to confirm his name, age and address as members of Mr Minett’s family watched from the public gallery.

Magistrates were told that, due to the seriousness of the allegation, the case can only be dealt with at the Crown Court.

Proceedings will continue at Swansea Crown Court on May 29.

King was released on unconditional bail until that date.c

Crime

Man breached restraining order by entering woman’s home

Published

11 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

COURT HEARS APPLICATION MADE TO DISCHARGE ORDER

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been sentenced after being found inside a woman’s home despite being banned from contacting her.

Peter Bromley, 51, of Parc y Chwarel, Fishguard, was made subject to a restraining order by Haverfordwest magistrates on February 26.

The order prevented him from having any direct or indirect contact with Rhiannon Bowen.

But on April 8, police received a call claiming Bromley was present at Ms Bowen’s address in Fishguard.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that when officers arrived at the property, Ms Bowen initially denied that Bromley was there.

However, when officers gained access to the property, they found Bromley inside the kitchen.

This week Bromley pleaded guilty to breaching the restraining order.

He was legally represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who told magistrates that Ms Bowen had recently begun proceedings to have the restraining order removed and discharged.

“Considerable progress has been made by the defendant in various areas of his life,” said Mr Lloyd.

Bromley was fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and an £80 surcharge.

He must also complete a 12-month alcohol treatment requirement.

Crime

Drink-driver hit bicycle and failed to stop

Published

11 hours ago

April 28, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

SENTENCE ADJOURNED FOR PROBATION REPORT

A 23-YEAR-old motorist has been given an interim driving ban after admitting he was over the drink-drive limit when he damaged a bicycle in a collision.

Ajay Mathias was driving his Ford Fiesta along the A478 at Allensbank on April 8 when he collided with the bicycle.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that subsequent breath tests showed Mathias had 44 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Mathias, of Min y Llan, Letterston, appeared before magistrates this week where he pleaded guilty to drink-driving and failing to stop after a road accident.

Sentencing was adjourned until April 30, when magistrates will consider a probation report.

Mathias was released on unconditional bail until that date.