Crime

Milford Haven woman jailed after turning to drug dealing to fund her habit

Published

8 months ago

November 1, 2025

Herald previously reported co-accused’s earlier conviction in major local drugs raid

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who began dealing crack cocaine and cannabis to fund her own addiction has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Police executed a search warrant at the home of Joanna John, 46, on Howarth Close, Milford Haven, on October 8 last year, uncovering quantities of cocaine and cannabis along with cash, weighing scales and mobile phones.

Inside a locked bedroom, officers found Kaleb Thomas, who told them he knew what they were looking for and directed them to a drawer containing 1.62 grams of cocaine. A vacuum-sealed bag holding 165 grams of cannabis and two smaller quantities of the drug were also recovered. John herself was found with a small amount of crack cocaine.

Both John and Thomas were arrested at the scene.

John initially denied any role in drug supply but later admitted being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and cannabis between August 29 and October 9, 2024. Swansea Crown Court heard she had been a long-term user whose own dependency had driven her into dealing.

Judge Geraint Walters sentenced her to two-and-a-half years in prison, telling her the offences were too serious for anything other than immediate custody. All seized drugs and paraphernalia were ordered to be forfeited and destroyed, and John must also pay a £228 surcharge.

Thomas, 20, of no fixed abode, was already serving a three-year sentence of detention in a Young Offender Institution for his part in an earlier Milford Haven drugs operation.

As The Pembrokeshire Herald previously reported, Thomas was one of four men jailed in July following a police raid on April 3, 2024, which uncovered cocaine, cannabis and thousands of pounds in cash. They had all pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply and possession of criminal property.

When Thomas returned to court in August for sentencing on the later offences linked to John, Judge Huw Rees said he was constrained by the principle of totality, describing it as unfair that the defendant was being sentenced “in a piecemeal way”.

Thomas received an additional six months, to run consecutively to his existing term.

The case marks the latest chapter in a series of drug-related prosecutions linked to Milford Haven, as Dyfed-Powys Police continue to target the supply of Class A and B drugs in the town.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

16 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

17 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.