Crime

Woman ‘terrified in own home’ after ex breaches court order

Published

3 months ago

December 16, 2025

Former partner jailed in suspended sentence after travelling from Birmingham to Milford Haven

A WOMAN has told a court she lives in fear after seeing her former partner standing outside her home, despite him being banned from approaching her under a two-year non-molestation order.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that the woman believed her ex-partner, Michael Walden, had been living in Birmingham since the order was imposed in July.

However, on December 15, footage from her Ring doorbell showed Walden standing outside her property in Milford Haven while she was collecting her children from school.

In a statement read to the court, the woman said: “I was very scared. I’m terrified of being in my own home, and I was feeling scared about taking the children to school the following day.”

The non-molestation order prohibited Walden from attending the woman’s address or making any direct or indirect contact with her.

Crown Prosecutor Ryan Colamazza said the woman’s fear was heightened by her belief that Walden had been residing in Birmingham following his previous court appearance.

But defence solicitor Mike Kelleher stressed that no direct contact had taken place.

“He was not there to make any sort of trouble or threats,” he said. “He just wanted to ensure that his children were well.

“There was no direct contact with the woman – he was simply seen on the Ring doorbell.”

The court also heard that when Walden was arrested, police discovered a quantity of cannabis in his possession.

Walden pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and breaching the non-molestation order.

Sentencing him, the presiding magistrate said: “The fact that this was pre-meditated and that you travelled down to Pembrokeshire from Birmingham, knowing you were prohibited from attending the woman’s address, crosses the custody threshold.”

Walden was sentenced to eight weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months. He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £154 court surcharge. A forfeiture and destruction order was also imposed for the cannabis.

Crime

Publican jailed for six years for supplying cocaine and cannabis

Published

4 minutes ago

March 20, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Milford Haven man sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following drug dealing operation

A MILFORD HAVEN publican has been jailed for six years after admitting supplying cocaine and cannabis.

The defendant, who previously appeared before magistrates and was remanded in custody, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following an investigation into drug dealing activity linked to the town.

The court heard that he had been involved in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs, with evidence including material recovered by police and analysis of mobile phone data. Investigators said the activity had been ongoing since at least 2024.

Cocaine, a Class A drug, carries the most serious penalties under UK law, and the involvement of both cocaine and cannabis was reflected in the length of the sentence imposed.

During proceedings, the court was told that the case went beyond isolated incidents, with the defendant playing a significant role in the supply chain. The judge said the offending was serious and sustained, warranting an immediate custodial sentence.

He was sentenced to six years in prison.

The case had previously been heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where the defendant was remanded due to the seriousness of the allegations before being sent to the Crown Court for sentencing.

Crime

Carmarthen man denies coercive control allegations

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody ahead of further hearing

A CARMARTHEN man has denied allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour towards his partner during a prolonged period of alleged abuse.

Mark Hanson, aged 51, of no fixed abode but previously linked to Llangunnor Road, Llangunnor, Carmarthen, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for a further case management hearing on Wednesday (Mar 19).

The court heard that Hanson is accused of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship, contrary to Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015.

It is alleged that between January 1, 2024 and March 12, 2026, at Stackpole, Hanson repeatedly or continuously subjected a female to threats of violence. Prosecutors say the pair were partners at the time, and that the behaviour had a serious effect on the complainant, which Hanson either knew or ought to have known.

Hanson entered a not guilty plea to the charge on March 13.

The court was told that he has been remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, with magistrates citing concerns that he may commit further offences, including causing injury or fear of injury to a person connected to the case.

Additional information presented to the court indicated that Hanson is currently serving a custodial sentence of two months for breaching a Domestic Violence Protection Order.

The case was adjourned for a further case management hearing, which is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 23) at 10:00am. The hearing is expected to be conducted via video link and is listed for a duration of 20 minutes.

Magistrates Mr A Allison, Mrs J Morris and Mr D England presided over the hearing. The prosecution was led by Sian Vaughan, with Hanson represented by Alaw Harries of DGJ Solicitors.

Crime

Youth, 15, admits assault on police officer in Milford Haven

Published

2 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A 15-YEAR-OLD has admitted assaulting a police officer during an incident in Milford Haven.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that the offence took place on Saturday (Mar 1), when the youth assaulted Police Constable 573 Evans.

The defendant appeared before magistrates on Wednesday (Mar 19), where a guilty plea to common assault was entered.

The court granted unconditional bail and adjourned the case for sentencing.

The youth is due to appear again at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 2) at 10:00am for sentencing. The hearing is expected to last around 30 minutes.

Under Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, the youth cannot be identified.