Crime

Paintball gun fired through letterbox in drugs debt intimidation

Published

2 months ago

December 31, 2025

TWO men who fired a paintball gun through a Pembroke Dock man’s letterbox in the early hours of the morning as part of a drugs debt dispute were caught on CCTV – with a third later stealing the victim’s security camera.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Simon Bowen and Kyle Allerton targeted Brett Lesman during the early hours of Saturday (Aug 2), using the weapon to cause fear and intimidation. Footage showed the pair arriving at the property before discharging the paintball gun through the letterbox and fleeing the scene.

***Simon Bowen and Kyle Allerton (Images: Dyfed-Powys Police)***

Moments later, a third man, Christopher Rees, was captured on the same CCTV entering the area and removing the security camera.

Bowen did not evade police for long. Officers stopped his BMW on Hamilton Terrace in Milford Haven shortly after the incident, leading to further discoveries unrelated to the paintball attack.

A subsequent examination of Bowen’s mobile phone revealed evidence of cocaine supply, including messages relating to prices, quantities and deliveries. A search of his home uncovered a Taser, a knuckleduster and a canister of pepper spray.

Bowen, aged 35, of Church Terrace, Monkton, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession of cocaine, and three counts relating to prohibited weapons. He had no previous convictions.

Defending Bowen, Jon Tarrant told the court the offending was out of character, describing his client’s involvement as low-level dealing to a small circle of acquaintances.

Allerton, aged 27, of no fixed abode, admitted possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He has 12 previous convictions for 28 offences. His barrister, Dean Pulling, said the incident was an act of “stupidity” which his client deeply regretted.

Rees, aged 35, of Lewis Street, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to theft and has three previous convictions. The court was told he played the least significant role in the incident.

Sentencing the defendants, Recorder Neil Owen-Casey said Bowen and Allerton had intended to cause fear and distress to their victim.

Bowen was sentenced to 33 months in prison. Allerton received a sentence of 34 months and two weeks. Rees was jailed for 30 weeks and was released immediately due to time already served on remand.

All three men were made subject to five-year restraining orders preventing them from contacting Mr Lesman and were ordered to pay a victim surcharge.

Crime

Man who threw corrosive liquid at guest and fled abroad jailed

Published

1 day ago

February 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A BUSINESSMAN who threw a corrosive liquid into a guest’s face during a row at a spiritual retreat before fleeing the country has been jailed for 18 months.

Dean Mayze, aged 38, from Abercrave in Powys, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm following the attack at his Hafan-y-Coed retreat in December 2022.

Swansea Crown Court heard the assault happened after an argument with guest Keifer Price, who had complained about the condition of his accommodation, including a lack of heating and washing facilities.

During the confrontation, Mayze produced a blue container and threw its contents upwards into the victim’s face.

The liquid — described as smelling like ammonia — entered Mr Price’s eyes, nose and mouth, leaving him in severe pain and struggling to breathe.

Medical evidence confirmed injuries consistent with a chemical burn to both eyes. He suffered abrasions, a corneal defect and the loss of the outer corneal layer in one eye, requiring significant treatment to prevent permanent sight loss. He has since recovered without lasting injury.

Fled across Europe

Following the attack, Mayze fled the UK, triggering an international search.

The court heard he travelled across several European countries, including Ireland, France, Italy, Croatia and Greece, before eventually being arrested in Romania in 2025.

Despite being on the run, he remained in regular contact with police by text and email, at one point telling officers he would not be returning to Wales.

His partner initially claimed responsibility for the assault and later received a suspended prison sentence after admitting perverting the course of justice.

Previous conviction

The court was told Mayze has a previous conviction for wounding involving a corrosive substance in Kent in 2013.

Defence barrister Andrew Taylor said his client had experienced harsh conditions while detained in Romania, including contracting scabies without treatment, and described him as remorseful.

However, Judge Geraint Walters said it was “pure luck” the victim had not suffered permanent injuries, describing the attack as a “particularly wicked way of inflicting violence”.

Sentence and order

Mayze, who appeared via video link from prison, had previously denied a more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and made subject to a three-year restraining order.

Crime

Police appeal after man injured in St Davids incident

Published

1 day ago

February 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for witnesses following an incident in St Davids which left one man injured.

The incident happened in Nun Street at around 11:10am on Tuesday, December 30. The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment.

Officers confirmed that a man has been arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident.

Police are now asking anyone with information, dash cam footage, or CCTV that could assist the investigation to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online at:
https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/

Alternatively, email [email protected], send a direct message via social media, or call 101 quoting reference DP20251230094.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Sexual assault allegation to be tried

Published

1 day ago

February 18, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Accused granted conditional bail

A SEXUAL assault allegation has been listed for trial following a hearing before magistrates.

David Fletcher, 45, of Chestnut Way, Mount Estate, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, appeared before magistrates in Llanelli on Thursday (Feb 12) charged with sexual assault, contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The charge alleges that on March 16, 2025, at Johnston, Pembrokeshire, he intentionally touched a woman aged 16 or over and that the touching was sexual when she did not consent and he did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

The matter was adjourned for trial and Fletcher was remanded on conditional bail.

The trial is listed for March 9, 2026 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions prohibit him from entering a specified premises in Johnston, from contacting directly or indirectly the complainant or any prosecution witnesses, and from posting any information relating to the investigation on social media. The conditions were imposed to prevent further offending and to prevent interference with witnesses or obstruction of justice.