Crime

Tenby fisherman jailed for ‘appalling’ campaign of domestic abuse

Published

6 months ago

November 4, 2025

A TENBY fisherman has been jailed after subjecting his partner to what a court described as a “campaign” of violence and intimidation throughout their relationship

Oscar Allen, 23, of St Julian’s Street, Tenby carried out repeated assaults on his partner between September last year and August, Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard. Prosecutor Harry Dickens said Allen’s behaviour was “violent and toxic” during the relationship, with a series of incidents that left his victim living in fear.

The court was told that in November or December last year, Allen became enraged after seeing his partner on her phone while he was cooking. In anger, he hurled a plate of food at her — narrowly missing — before it smashed against the wall. He then accused her of being “sneaky” and shouted at her.

In early May, when the victim told Allen she planned to go out with friends, he became aggressive and told her: “You’re not f***ing going out.” He pushed her around their bedroom around 15 times, snatched her phone, and locked the front door to prevent her from leaving.

After noticing a text message from a male friend, Allen’s anger escalated further. He spat in his partner’s face, called her “disgusting”, threw a washing basket at her head, and hurled her phone against the wall.

Later that month, on 26 May, the pair attended a friend’s birthday celebration at a pub in Saundersfoot. During another argument, Allen grabbed the victim’s finger and pulled it back before lifting her onto his shoulder and carrying her away. He placed her on a bench and gripped her throat with one hand.

“She describes thinking she was going to die,” Mr Dickens told the court.

Allen then took her phone and only released her after some time. The victim returned to her friends inside the pub, but Allen was refused re-entry. Undeterred, he followed the group to Sands nightclub, where he spent the night stalking his partner and threatening any men who spoke to her. Using her phone, he purchased £20 worth of drinks for himself — then poured them over her each time.

In another incident at a dance event in Narberth on 26 July, Allen threw his partner over a grass bank after she asked to dance with her friends. Weeks later, on 11 August, he slapped her twice in the face “unprompted” at an afterparty following nights out in Tenby.

Allen pleaded guilty to five offences of assault by beating, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, strangulation, fraud by false representation, and criminal damage. The court also heard he had three previous convictions for four offences and was already serving a 12-month suspended sentence at the time of the attacks.

In mitigation, defence barrister James Hartson said: “There’s very little I can say about the offences themselves that would assist either the court or the defendant. Mr Allen is rightly and thoroughly ashamed of his actions. This was an appalling series of offending against his partner.”

Mr Hartson added that Allen had undertaken courses in prison to address issues of domestic violence and anger management.

Sentencing him to 30 months in custody, Judge Daniel Williams also activated the full 12-month suspended sentence, to run consecutively.

“This was a sustained pattern of violent, controlling behaviour,” the judge said. “Your partner lived in fear because of your actions.”

Allen will serve half of his sentence in custody before being released on licence.

Crime

70-year-old denies assault and restraining order breach

Published

10 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

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

Published

12 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Court Reporter

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

Published

12 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Court Reporter

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.