Crime

Electrician banned after drink-drive arrest in Spittal

Published

7 months ago

December 2, 2025

A PEMBROKESHIRE electrician has been taken off the road after he was caught driving more than twice the legal drink-drive limit.

Steven Chilvers, aged 35, was stopped by police at around 10.30pm on August 28 as he drove a white Ford Transit van along Golden Hill, an unclassified road in Spittal.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Chilvers accelerated when he noticed a marked police vehicle behind him.

Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker said: “He drove erratically before pulling into a junction and bringing the van to a stop. When officers approached the vehicle, the defendant stepped outside and was unsteady on his feet.”

Chilvers told officers he had been drinking earlier that evening at the local pub.

A roadside breath test returned a reading of 75mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – more than double the legal limit of 35 – while a subsequent blood test at the police station showed 145mg, against the legal limit of 80.

Chilvers, of Dyfed, Puncheston, pleaded guilty. He was represented by solicitor Aled Owen, who said the inevitable ban would have a significant impact on his client’s employment as an electrician working across agricultural holdings in South and West Wales.

“His foolishness is going to have a devastating impact on himself and on his young family,” said Mr Owen. “He hopes to carry on working for his employer, but this is going to be reduced quite significantly without a driving licence.”

Mr Owen added that Chilvers had accepted from the outset that he had made “a substantial error”.

“He’d been working in the area that day and stopped in the pub on his way home. He’s very well known and highly thought of in the community. One drink turned into another, which led to his arrest. He miscalculated badly that night,” he said.

Magistrates disqualified Chilvers from driving for 17 months. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay a £120 surcharge and £85 costs.

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

16 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.