Prolific shoplifter jailed after stealing nearly £300 of goods from Cardigan store

Published

2 months ago

January 6, 2026

District judge says custody was only option due to persistent offending

A PROLIFIC north Pembrokeshire shoplifter has been jailed after stealing almost £300 worth of goods from a B&M store in Cardigan.

Andrew O’Connell, 38, was seen entering the store on Sunday (Jan 5) before leaving carrying two large carrier bags.

“Both bags were full of items, including groceries and electrical goods,” Crown Prosecutor Nia James told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

O’Connell walked along Aberystwyth Road before being arrested by police at the bus stop adjacent to the Tesco store.

O’Connell pleaded guilty to the B&M theft and to stealing a van containing two dogs from John Street car park in Carmarthen in June 2024.

“The van was owned by Richard Bramley, who was a stallholder at the street market adjacent to Marks and Spencer in Carmarthen,” Ms James said.

“He had left his two dogs inside the van, along with stock for his plant stall, and the vehicle was unlocked. When he returned a short time later, the van had gone.

“He was emotionally distressed and particularly concerned about the whereabouts of the dogs.”

Street CCTV footage traced the vehicle, which was later recovered by police. The court was told that nothing had been stolen from the van and both dogs were returned to their owner unharmed.

O’Connell was represented by solicitor Alan Lewis.

“Money was tight after Christmas, so he went to B&M and took the items,” Mr Lewis said. “All of the goods were later recovered.”

Mr Lewis told the court that O’Connell’s offending began around three years ago following the death of his mother.

“This affected him deeply,” he said. “Around the same time, he separated from his partner, and that is when drug and alcohol misuse began, which he is now trying to address.

“Prior to this, he was supervising adults at a care farm, so this represents a significant fall from grace. It is very sad.”

However, probation officer Julie Norman said repeated attempts to support O’Connell had been ignored.

Sentencing him to eight weeks in custody, District Judge Layton said O’Connell’s record left the court with no alternative.

“Your pattern of offending shows you are constantly going into shops and stealing,” he said. “There is no slowdown in your behaviour, so the only option is custody.”

O’Connell was also ordered to pay a £154 surcharge and £85 in costs.

Pembroke Dock man denies coercive control allegations

Published

3 hours ago

February 25, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Case sent to Crown Court amid claims of stalking, abduction and dangerous driving

A PEMBROKE DOCK man is to appear before a Crown Court judge charged with repeatedly engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour towards a woman.

Alfie Hegarty, aged 20, of Church Street, Pembroke Dock, is accused of repeatedly or continuously engaging in behaviour said to have controlled the complainant’s social media use, restricted who she could speak to and involved extreme jealousy.

“The allegations go further than that and include abduction, dangerous driving, stalking, coercive controlling behaviour and harassment,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Mr Davies asked magistrates to decline jurisdiction because of the seriousness of the case.

“This is not suitable for summary trial, given the effect that it’s had on the victim,” he said.

Hegarty denied the allegation. No representations were made by his solicitor.

Magistrates granted the Crown’s request and the case was sent to Swansea Crown Court, where proceedings are due to begin on March 27.

Hegarty was released on conditional bail. The conditions are that he must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly and must not enter her address in Neyland.

Crime

Milford Haven pensioner admits sexually assaulting two shop workers

Published

3 hours ago

February 25, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

76-year-old touched victims and kissed one on the neck, court hears

A MILFORD HAVEN man has admitted sexually assaulting two women at a shop by touching their buttocks and kissing one of them on the neck.

“These were sexual touching elements, which made the victims feel extremely uncomfortable,” said Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies when John Mason appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

The first incident took place at a Milford Haven store on August 3, 2025.

“The victim contacted the police as she’d been working in the store and recognised the defendant when he walked in,” said Mr Davies.

She was standing by the counter when Mason approached from behind, placed his hands on her shoulders and used his right hand to touch her bottom.

“There was definitely a sexual element there,” added the prosecutor.

The second victim told officers she also recognised Mason, who had entered the store on a number of occasions.

“He grabbed her buttock with one hand, which she found unacceptable, and kissed the back of her neck,” said Mr Davies. “This made her feel very uncomfortable and there was again a sexual touching element.”

Mason, aged 76, of Coombs Drive, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual assault.

Sentencing was adjourned until March 17 to allow the probation service to prepare an all-options report. Mason was released on bail with conditions not to enter the stores where the victims work and not to contact them directly or indirectly.

Crime

Man accused of sexual offences against child appears in court

Published

3 hours ago

February 25, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

29-year-old denies six charges as case sent to Swansea Crown Court

A MERLINS BRIDGE man has appeared before magistrates charged with a series of serious sexual offences involving a child.

Adam Frank, aged 29, faces three charges of sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl by penetration, namely that he allegedly penetrated her vagina with his fingers. He also faces three further charges of intentionally touching a child in a sexual manner.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between January 19, 2018 and March 1, 2020.

Frank, of St Margarets Close, Merlins Bridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where his solicitor, Michael Kelleher, indicated not guilty pleas to each charge.

Given the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case was sent to Swansea Crown Court. Frank was released on unconditional bail and is due to appear before the Crown Court on March 27.