News

Milford Haven: Birthday girl ‘set fire to her own flat’, court hears

Published

11 years ago

January 19, 2015

A MILFORD HAVEN woman became out of control on drink and drugs during her birthday celebrations, leading to her ‘setting fire’ to her Mount Estate flat, Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday (Jan 19).

Natasha Bradbury, 26, of Chestnut Way, appeared before Magistrates to face one charge of arson when reckless as to whether life could be endangered, one charge of breaching a conditional discharge, and one charge of being in possession of a class B drug.

Appearing behind the glass security screen flanked by two security officers, and wearing a loose fitting grey sweatshirt, Bradbury hid her face and sobbed as the charges were put to her.

Remanded for arson: Natasha Bradbury

Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones explained to the court the events which led to the arrest: “At 5am police were called to the scene of a disturbance, which was outside the defendant’s home in the Mount Estate. Following a day of partying in Swansea, and drinking in the local pubs of Milford Haven she was reported to have been very drunk, and screaming and shouting and repeatedly kicking her door. Then, five minutes later a neighbour reported that he heard her shouting. She was heard shouting ‘I have set fire to my house and I don’t care about any of you c***s’. It is alleged that she put her hand through her own letter box and set fire to the curtain on the other side of the door.”

He added: “She should not get bail. I would say that anyone who gets themselves in such a state and not remember it could well do it again. Luckily the defendant’s boyfriend and another male who were at the scene were able to put the fire out before the fire brigade arrived.”

Defending, Mike Kelleher argued that Bradbury could be kept out of trouble if she was given her liberty and bailed to her mother’s address in Sageston. He said that his client suffered from anxiety and depression and regularly visited her doctor to obtain medication. He said that when she failed to answer bail on a previous occasion it was because she got mixed up and went to the police station instead of court.

Mr Kelleher said: “There may be people in the Mount Estate who wouldn’t take kindly to there being someone who started a fire living there. The houses are closely packed together. We are dealing with a minor fire, but all arson is serious. But she set fire to a curtain, and that was the extent of it.”

Chairman of the bench, Cllr David Simpson said: “You have listened to the charges, the bench has listened to what has been said here today. Unfortunately we do not feel we can grant you bail. You will be remanded in custody for arson when reckless as to whether life could be endangered.”

Bradbury will now appear at Swansea Crown Court on January 27. She was given a total of £170 in fines and costs for possession of cannabis and the breach of a conditional discharge.

News

Pendine cliff fall victim recovering after major emergency response

Published

33 minutes ago

June 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A 22-YEAR-OLD man who suffered serious injuries after falling from cliffs overlooking Pendine Beach is recovering well following emergency surgery.

The man was visiting Pendine with friends on a weekend break when the incident happened on Saturday afternoon. Emergency services were called to the scene after he fell from a cliff edge above the beach, sustaining significant chest, facial and pelvic injuries.

A major multi-agency response was launched involving the Welsh Ambulance Service, HM Coastguard, Dyfed-Powys Police and the Wales Air Ambulance. Personnel from Pendine Community Council also assisted at the scene.

After receiving emergency treatment, the casualty was airlifted to Cardiff for specialist hospital care, where he underwent surgery.

An update released with the consent of the injured man and his family confirmed that he is now recovering well.

The young man, his family and friends have expressed their gratitude to everyone involved in the rescue effort, treatment and ongoing care.

Special thanks were paid to local resident Michaela Dance, an Emergency Nurse Practitioner, who was first on the scene and provided immediate assistance before emergency crews arrived.

The family said they were extremely thankful for the professionalism, skill and compassion shown by all emergency service personnel and those who helped during the incident.

Despite the seriousness of the injuries sustained, the outcome has been positive, with family and friends acknowledging that the situation could have been far worse.

Pictured are the injured man’s friends with Michaela Dance, presenting her with a gift as a token of their appreciation for the assistance she provided following the incident.

News

Hakin motorist banned after driving 14 times over drug limit

Published

16 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A HAKIN motorist has been banned from driving for three years after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his system.

Mark Briskham, 53, of Waterloo Square, Wellington Road, Hakin, was stopped by police on January 5 as he drove a Ford Kuga along Steynton Road, near Milford Haven.

Blood tests carried out at the police station showed he had 800mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 64mcg of cocaine in his system. The legal limit is 10mcg.

Briskham pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for three years, taking into account a previous drug-drive conviction from 2020.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.cr

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

16 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.