Crime

Teen jailed for drunken assault on man in his sixties outside Milford Haven pub

Published

4 months ago

November 29, 2025

A NEYLAND teenager has been sent to a Young Offender Institution after carrying out a violent, drink-fuelled attack on a man more than forty years his senior while the victim waited for a lift home.

The court heard that the 62-year-old had spent the evening watching rugby with friends on November 8 before joining his son for a quiet drink at the Lord Kitchener in Milford Haven. When he stepped outside to meet his partner, who was driving over to collect him, he walked across the road to wait near the bus stop.

While he stood there, he was approached by Benjamin Cullen, then 18, who was loudly talking on his phone. Cullen suddenly turned on him, demanding to know why he was looking in his direction. The older man swatted the teenager’s phone from his hand — later saying he thought Cullen may have been filming him — and the situation quickly escalated.

**The hearing took place at the Crown Court in Swansea**

Cullen lashed out, kicking the man and dragging him into the road before hitting him while he was on the ground. Several people nearby intervened, but Cullen took off his outer layers of clothing and charged back at the victim, punching and kicking him again despite attempts to calm him down.

The victim’s son arrived during the second outburst and briefly managed to restrain the teenager, who then broke free and ran off. Emergency crews found the injured man drifting in and out of consciousness. He was taken to hospital with wounds to his head, hands and knees.

Police found Cullen a short time later at the Nos Da bar. Even as he was arrested, he insisted he had done nothing wrong. In interview he later claimed he had been frightened and was only defending himself — a position he abandoned when he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court was told that Cullen, now 19 and of Gordon Parry Road, Neyland, already had a long history of offending: 21 previous convictions covering 44 offences, including violence.

His barrister said the teenager had spent the day drinking heavily following a family row and lacked the maturity to control his behaviour.

Judge Huw Rees said Cullen’s actions were “persistent and gratuitous” and fuelled entirely by alcohol. He ordered him to serve 18 months in a Young Offender Institution.

Crime

Man sentenced for stalking Milford Haven woman

Published

5 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates

A MAN has been sentenced after admitting stalking a woman in Milford Haven.

Andrew Richards, 39, of High Street, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

Richards had previously pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

The court heard that between December 2, 2025 and February 15, 2026, he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of Tamsin Matthias and which he knew, or ought to have known, amounted to harassment.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until September 8, 2027.

As part of the order, Richards must undertake alcohol treatment for nine months under the direction of the probation service.

He must also complete up to twenty days of rehabilitation activity as directed by probation.

Richards was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £500 compensation to the victim, £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court made a restraining order lasting until September 8, 2027.

Under the order, Richards must not contact the victim directly or indirectly and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material on social media or the internet referring to her directly or indirectly.

The court heard a victim personal statement from the complainant, which was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was prosecuted by Dennis Davies, with Richards represented by Mike Kelleher.

The hearing was before magistrates Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.

Crime

Man, 80, sentenced for stalking after campaign of unwanted emails and posters

Published

6 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed after Haverfordwest case

A MAN has been sentenced for stalking after admitting a campaign of unwanted contact and harassment in Haverfordwest.

Michael Lockheart, 80, of Daisy Lane, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

The court had previously heard that between July 27 and September 10, 2025, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to stalking.

The offence involved sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop making contact, putting up defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to the complainant’s GP and local authority.

Lockheart had entered a guilty plea to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, on January 27, 2026.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until March 8, 2028.

As part of that order, Lockheart must undergo non-residential mental health treatment for 12 months under Dr Cormac Duffy, as directed by probation.

He must also complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

Lockheart was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, a £600 fine, £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court also made a restraining order lasting until March 8, 2028.

Under that order, he must not seek, approach or communicate with the complainant by any means, directly or indirectly. He must not knowingly enter any address where she is living, and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material online or on social media referring to her directly or by implication.

A victim personal statement was read to the court by the prosecutor.