Crime
Labourer fined after stealing bag from unlocked car in Haverfordwest
Court hears theft was an ‘impulsive mistake’ committed while drunk
AN IMPULSIVE decision to steal a handbag containing cash and bank cards from an unlocked car in Haverfordwest town centre has cost a self-employed labourer more than £1,000 in fines and costs.
Leigh Pettit, 26, approached the vehicle on January 5 while it was parked outside a property at Portfield, Haverfordwest. Inside, he found a bag containing a purse, several bank cards and £50 in cash.
He took the items and later used one of the stolen bank cards to make purchases at the Premier Stores in Market Street, the Peking House Chinese takeaway in High Street, and the Texaco garage on Fishguard Road.
“The victim had left her bag in the unlocked car and, when she returned, realised that all her items had been taken,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
After receiving a bank notification of fraudulent use at the Texaco garage, the victim was shown CCTV footage that clearly identified Pettit making the purchases.
“She recognised him, as she remembered him from when they were at school,” Ms Vaughan added.
The court heard that while the victim’s bank reimbursed the fraudulent transactions, the £50 in cash was never recovered.
Pettit, of Jury Lane, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to theft and three counts of fraud by false representation. He was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd.
“It’s disappointing to see him here today, as he’s been in and out of trouble for many years but had recently found some stability,” said Mr Lloyd. “This was a very silly and impulsive mistake, committed while he was under the influence of alcohol.”
Magistrates fined Pettit £700 and ordered him to pay a £300 court surcharge, £85 in costs, and £50 compensation to the victim.
Crime
Two men bailed after Fleming Crescent burglary report
TWO men have been arrested following a reported burglary at a property in Haverfordwest.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that officers were called after a residential burglary was reported at Fleming Crescent on Sunday (Apr 26).
The incident is understood to have taken place sometime between 8:35pm and 11:55pm.
Residents reported seeing police tape and several police vehicles in the area at around 9:49pm.
A police spokesperson confirmed that two men, aged 25 and 28, both from Pembrokeshire, were arrested on suspicion of burglary.
Both men have since been released on bail.
Crime
Pembrokeshire hairdresser avoids prison after pub assault
WHEN a Fishguard mobile hairdresser was branded a chav in her local pub, she took umbrage by throwing a glass of gin at the woman who had spoken the words.
But this week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that when the glass shattered into the victim’s face, the woman sustained lacerations to her neck and chin.
Appearing before the Bench was 43-year-old Donna Thomas of White Lodge, Dyffryn, Goodwick, who pleaded guilty to assaulting Hannah Llewhelin, causing her actual bodily harm.
The court was told that Thomas arrived at The Royal Oak pub in Fishguard, at around 8pm on October 18, accompanied by her husband. Approximately an hour later, Hannah Llewhelin arrived.
“The defendant began speaking to the victim and an argument broke out,” said Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies.
“The defendant hit the victim to her face with a glass which smashed against her face, neck and skin, causing lacerations.”
Photographs of the lacerations were shown to the Bench.
But the probation service stressed that the assault had been prompted by a derogatory remark made to the defendant by Hannah Llewhelin.
“The defendant had had two drinks earlier that evening, she drank two more at the pub prior to the incident, and was tipsy but was aware of what was happening around her,” commented the probation officer.
“She went over to the table where the victim was sitting, her husband introduced her to the victim who he’d known since his school days, and they began discussing land on friendly terms. But the victim then laughed at the defendant’s job, which is a self-employed mobile hairdresser, and called her a chav.
“Without thinking, Donna Thomas went to throw the drink over the victim’s face but she knocked the glass. She didn’t intend to hurt her physically, but just wanted to throw the drink.”
Thomas was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody suspended for 18 months. During this time she must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 150 hours of unpaid work. She was ordered to pay £750 compensation to Hannah Llewhelin, a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.
Crime
Farm worker overturns Mercedes when over drink-drive limit
A Pembrokeshire farm worker has lost his licence after overturning his Mercedes when he was over the drink-drive limit.
This week Haverfordwest magistrates were told that at around 3.40pm on January 10, police received reports that a black Mercedes had been involved in a single vehicle road collision on the A487 at Roch.
When officers arrived, they discovered the overturned Mercedes with its driver, Richard James, 45, trapped in the driving seat.
At around 5 pm James was arrested and transported to Withybush hospital where blood samples were carried out. These gave a reading of 112 mcg of alcohol, the legal limit being 80.
James, of Bryn Seion, Solva, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill who informed magistrates that the defendant had collected items for work on the afternoon in question.
“He’d consumed alcohol the night before and had also taken some prescribed medication,” she said. “He believed he would be safe to drive the following day, but obviously this wasn’t the case.”
Jess Hill added that James is expecting to lose his employment as a farm worker, as the mandatory driving ban will prevent him from driving the vehicles involved with his work.
James was disqualified from driving for 14 months and ordered to pay a £346 fine, a £138 court surcharge and £85 costs.
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