Crime
Milford Haven man let waste pile up outside his home for five years
A COURT has been shown shocking photographs of a five-year accumulation of household waste abandoned outside a council property in Milford Haven.
Overflowing bin bags, a discarded sofa, rotting food including animal bones, and piles of household items had been left to build up behind the property in Vicary Crescent, occupied by Gavin James.
The problem has been going on for years, with the photo we are showing being taken in 2023.
The court heard that the build-up had attracted rats, which were frequently seen at the address.
This week James, aged 45, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to breaching a criminal behaviour order by failing to clear the waste despite repeated requests from Pembrokeshire County Council between July 27, 2024 and March 14, 2025.
“The matter goes back to 2020, during which a total of four notices have been served on him,” said solicitor Jill Davies, representing Pembrokeshire County Council.
“Pembrokeshire County Council arranged for a private contractor to remove the waste via skip collections on at least two occasions, and in August 2024, another skip was arranged by his family members. But no improvement has been made to the property, which is located in a built-up residential area.”
Defence solicitor Tom Lloyd said the waste accumulation was linked to difficulties in James’s personal life.
“The father-of-six suffered a breakdown in his 25-year marriage, and this contributed to the offence,” he said.
After considering a report from the probation service, magistrates imposed a 12-month community order requiring James to take part in a talking therapy programme. He was also fined £120, ordered to pay £427 costs to Pembrokeshire County Council, and a £114 court surcharge.
“You need to deal with this problem in some way, because unless you do, it’s only going to get worse,” the presiding magistrate told him.
Long history of enforcement action
This is not the first time Gavin James, of Vicary Crescent, has appeared before magistrates over waste-related offences.
In 2023, both he and his then-partner, Marie Danielle James, were fined after ignoring repeated council notices under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act. Contractors had to be hired to clear the rubbish after they failed to comply.
In 2024, James was again prosecuted for failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice, issued after further complaints about household waste piling up behind his home. He failed to attend court, and the case was proved in his absence. Magistrates fined him £300, imposed a £120 victim surcharge, and ordered him to pay £2,759 in council costs.
Following that conviction, Pembrokeshire County Council successfully applied for a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) restricting him from allowing waste to accumulate at the property or causing harassment, alarm or distress to neighbours by failing to clear it.
Despite the order, the same problems persisted, leading to this latest prosecution.
Crime
70-year-old denies assault and restraining order breach
A PENSIONER from Pembroke Dock has denied breaching a restraining order and assaulting another man.
Henry Howlett, 70, of Market Street, appeared before Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, May 1), charged with breaching a restraining order and common assault.
The charges relate to an alleged incident on November 9 last year.
Howlett has previously appeared before magistrates in connection with a separate alleged incident involving a neighbour.
Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court previously heard that a dispute arose on July 17 after neighbour Steven Bromhall was washing his car outside his home in Market Street.
Prosecutor Nia James told the court that, as a taxi arrived to collect Howlett, the driver opened the window while passing and Mr Bromhall inadvertently sprayed the taxi driver with water from a hosepipe.
“The taxi driver started remonstrating, and the defendant then began waving his walking stick in the air, towards Mr Bromhall,” she said.
The court heard Mr Bromhall sustained an injury to his back, although it remained unclear whether he had been struck by Howlett’s stick.
Howlett pleaded not guilty to common assault in relation to that incident and was released on unconditional bail. A trial date was set at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.
At Swansea Crown Court today, His Honour Judge P H Thomas KC asked Howlett whether he was legally represented.
“I can’t find anyone decent, I’m still searching, my lord,” Howlett replied.
When the court attempted to take his pleas, Howlett repeatedly interrupted in an effort to give an explanation, prompting the judge to tell him: “Be quiet, Mr Howlett.”
Howlett then pleaded not guilty to the charges, telling the court: “Definitely not guilty.”
As he left the courtroom, Howlett said: “I will get the truth out and I hope you all hang your heads in shame… this is all fixed.”
A trial date was set for January 14, 2027.
Crime
Crymych parent denies failing to comply with school attendance order
A CRYMYCH parent has denied failing to comply with a school attendance order, a court has heard.
The defendant appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged under the Education Act 1996.
The court heard that the defendant is accused of failing, as a parent, to ensure that a child attended school in accordance with the requirements of a School Attendance Order.
It is alleged that after being served with the order, the defendant did not comply within the required 15-day period.
A plea of not guilty was entered.
Magistrates adjourned the case for a case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 14.
A reporting restriction remains in force.
Crime
Cockle fisherman fined £3,450 for multiple breaches at protected site
A GOODWICK man has been ordered to pay £3,450 after breaching fishing regulations at a protected cockle fishery.
Richard William Edwards, 45, of Goodwick, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates charged with a series of offences at the Burry Inlet cockle fishery.
The court heard that Edwards had fished for cockles without a valid permit and breached conditions imposed under fisheries management rules. He was also found to have used an unauthorised vehicle in the fishery area, contrary to restrictions in place to protect the site.
Magistrates were told the offences took place on September 9, 2025, within the Burry Inlet Cockle Fishery, a designated and regulated area subject to strict controls.
Edwards was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a victim services surcharge of £800, along with costs of £650, bringing the total to £3,450. A collection order was made.
The case was brought under fisheries legislation including the Cockle Fisheries Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024.
The court heard that Edwards had been in breach of a prohibition imposed by the permitting system and had failed to comply with the terms of his permit.
The offences are part of ongoing enforcement efforts to protect the sustainability of cockle stocks and ensure compliance within the fishery.
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